Wiener Walzer (2016) Board Game

Wiener Walzer, which translates to “Viennese Waltz” in English, is an abstract strategy board game released in in 2016. Designed by 平沢下戸さ (Geko Hirasawa) and Christian Opperer, the game incorporates set collection and tile placement mechanics to create a unique gameplay experience.

Game Components of Wiener Walzer

Board: A square grid where players place their dancer tiles and collect food items.

Dancer Tiles: Each player has an identical set of tiles, ranging from zero-value characters like the grouchy old lady or crotchety old man to five-value characters like the radiant lady or handsome man.

Food Tokens: Five different types (bread, cheese, cake, caviar, and cigars) and wild champagne tokens.

Optional Event Cards: For special actions when playing zero-value tiles.

How To Setup Wiener Walzer

To set up the game, lay out the board and place various food dishes and neutral dancers (mostly food) across the grid. Each player receives their own set of dancer tiles, which are shuffled and drawn one at a time.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players place one tile from their hand onto any empty space on the board, claiming the food token from that space.

Waltz Trigger: When a dancer tile is fully surrounded by other dancers, it triggers a waltz with the adjacent highest-value dancer of the opposite sex.

Scoring: Both tiles involved in the waltz flip facedown and score their owners the full sum of their points.

Buffet Collection: Players aim to collect complete sets of buffet items, with champagne serving as a wild card. Each complete set earns 5 points.

Objective: Score points by waltzing with high-value dancers and collecting complete sets of buffet items.

Player Experience

Wiener Walzer offers a tense and humorous experience as players strategize to pair their dancers optimally while disrupting their opponents’ plans. The game is highly interactive, with players constantly adjusting their strategies to maximize their points. The addition of buffet items adds a layer of complexity, requiring players to balance their dancing and feasting goals.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: The tile placement and waltz mechanism create a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience.

Strategic Depth: Players must carefully plan their moves to optimize their scores.

Light-Hearted Fun: The game’s theme and interactions make it a fun and light-hearted experience.

Optional Event Cards: Add an extra layer of strategy and excitement.

Cons

No English Release: The game has not been officially released in English, which might pose a barrier for some players.

Dependence on Translations: Players may need to rely on community translations to understand the rules.

Personal Thoughts on Wiener Walzer

Wiener Walzer is ideal for groups of 2-5 players who enjoy strategic games with a touch of humor and social interaction. It’s a great choice for those who appreciate tile placement mechanics and are looking for a game that doesn’t overstay its welcome, with a typical playing time of 45 minutes. Despite the lack of an official English release, the game’s unique mechanics and fun theme make it a worthwhile addition to any board game collection.

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