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Game Info
Year
2009
Collection
Mechanic profile
Percentile rank vs. all games
Vibe profile
How this game feels to play
Description
The players act as traders trying to get victory points for building a network of offices, controlling cities, collecting bonus markers, or when other traders use the cities they control. After controlling a line between two cities with your pawns, you can decide to build an office (and maybe also establish control and/or get a bonus marker) or to get a skill improvement from some of the cities.
Players have to improve their traders' "skills" for the following effects: getting more VP from offices in their network, getting more available action points, increasing the number of available pawns, and getting the right to place pawns and get more special pawns.
This game appeared originally as Wettstreit der Händler at the Hippodice competition.
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 18
This page: 18
Sentiment:
pos 15 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–18 of 18
Video _xkrHh3uZ8w
Top List at 13:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 66736 · mention_pk 162542
Click to watch at 13:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Smoothness to the gameplay.
- Turns are super quick, so the game continues to move.
- Jockeying for position along the routes is engaging.
- Bolstered by having more people on the board.
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Trade routes and offices
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action Point Allowance — The turns are super quick. You're not really taking a ton of time, so the game continues to move.
- Area Control — jockeying for position along these routes and stuff and who's going to actually complete the route.
- Route Building — you are going to be playing out pieces kind of along these routes and stuff trying to get to the end and build offices and and kind of power up uh your your pieces and things like that.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It's like Any euro game is like, 'Here's a fifth-player expansion.' I'm like, Incorrect. No, thank you.
- The reason I love this game in general is that every turn everyone is gaining information because Nick might be asking Molly over here a question, but we all write down who asked who what and what letter and how many matches that made.
- So, it just makes for this kind of like maximum mind puzzle that will just I have games where I feel like I'm smart and other games where I feel like I could not be further from understanding anything about the world.
- Ready Set Bet is so much fun. And this game particularly is great at five cuz you can have one person be kind of the announcer and then everyone else um bidding and betting and stuff like that.
- It's just this fun silly thing.
- I love ready set bet. It's got to be number one.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6hYgn8lTNR4
All You Can Board Discussion at 48:40 sentiment: positive
video_pk 65831 · mention_pk 159779
Click to watch at 48:40 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is in lieu of us doing our yearly top 10; it’s a category-based discussion.
- I think this format is more interesting and adds flexibility in terms of the games we’re talking about.
- Anyone who says this game is luck-based, you’re just wrong.
- Through the Desert is one of the greatest designs ever in my opinion.
- Magic's back in my life now because of drafting.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Zuvst3_1fa8
Meeple University Playthrough at 5:48 sentiment: positive
video_pk 64378 · mention_pk 157828
Click to watch at 5:48 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- fast turns with high interaction
- deep engine-building decisions and upgrade paths
- clear multi-path scoring with end-game bonuses
- strong replayability with expansions
Cons
- two-player variant can be unbalanced
Thematic elements
- trade route building and prestige
- Germany
- live playthrough with expository commentary
Comparison games
- Wayfarers of the South
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- bonus_tiles_and_upgrades — Bonus tiles provide additional end-of-turn effects; upgrades unlock more actions.
- Compound Scoring — End-game scoring based on the longest connected chain of routes.
- displace_opponent_blow — Blocking and displacement by placing cubes to knock opponents from spots.
- engine building — Upgrades increase the number of actions per turn and improve overall ability to place merchants.
- engine_upgrades — Upgrades increase the number of actions per turn and improve overall ability to place merchants.
- establish_trade_routes — Fill in spaces between two locations to establish a trade route and possibly gain points or buildings.
- longest_chain_scoring — End-game scoring based on the longest connected chain of routes.
- move_merchants_on_board — Move merchants to different trade routes to establish more placements.
- Network/route building — Fill in spaces between two locations to establish a trade route and possibly gain points or buildings.
- place_trader_or_merchant_on_trade_route — Take a trader or merchant from supply and place it on any trade route square.
- refill_merchant_supply — Refill merchant supply from a shared side supply based on board unlocks.
- score_prestige_and_buildings — Control of buildings and bonus tiles grant prestige points; establishing routes may grant bonuses.
- upgrade_actions_via_trade_routes — Certain trade routes upgrade available actions on the player board.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a game of stopping each other from doing what we want to do
- it's very euro
- every turn is usually really quick
- engine building euro
- on our turns we've got five different actions we're going to be doing
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video KUd7lVRDwGI
Getting Games Review at 0:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 63668 · mention_pk 157169
Click to watch at 0:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- every turn is satisfying as players seek the weakest link on the board
- high player interaction via displacement creating a cutthroat feel
- balanced victory paths and relatively balanced upgrade options
- open information where players know each other's resources and positions
- book teleportation and upgrade mechanics add depth and strategic variety
- two-board design allows differing player counts (2-3 vs 4-5) with distinct layouts
Cons
- two-player game is terrible in this edition
- first edition rulebook is terrible and translating issues were present
- first turns can feel scripted and may reduce early branching
- theme and aesthetics may look dull or misaligned with the mechanics
- four-player variant reduces interaction somewhat compared to 3- or 5-player games
Thematic elements
- Germanic trading networks
- 1400 Germanic Traders
- open knowledge; player interaction through displacement; book teleportation mechanic
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- bag action — look at your bag, take the rightmost uncovered value (e.g., 3) and move that many cubes or discs from stock up to your supply
- bag building — look at your bag, take the rightmost uncovered value (e.g., 3) and move that many cubes or discs from stock up to your supply
- bonus discs — five types of bonus discs grant one-time actions, automatic upgrades, city-building bonuses, swap abilities, or removal of cubes/discs from the board
- book action — teleport two cubes or discs from any road to any other empty road spot on the board
- displacement — bump an opponent's piece by paying a penalty (cube costs 1, disc costs 2). the bumped piece goes to the opponent's stock and is placed on an empty spot adjacent to the road you just disrupted; bumping a disc also grants the opponent a bonus and advantages
- endgame conditions — game ends if a player reaches 20 in-game points, if all bonus discs are used and a new one cannot be drawn, or if the complete building track reaches a threshold
- endgame scoring and networks — points come from cities controlled, size of the largest connected network (multiplied by a key-based value), and exponential points from bonus discs; bonus discs influence end scoring
- place action — place a cube or disc from your supply to any empty location on any road on the board
- road completion — when a road segment is completed, remove the cubes from the road; if there is a bonus disc, take it; draw a new bonus disc; cities adjacent to the road grant victory points to all players who control those cities
- special city upgrades and privileges — special city spaces upgrade the player board actions and provide privileges, keys, etc.
- upgrading and progression — upgrading actions (e.g., the bag, book, etc.) improves efficiency; upgrades are bought by moving cubes from stock into supply to increase future action effectiveness
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- behind this bland looking box and bland looking board lies one of my favorite games of all time
- every turn is so satisfying
- the displacement mechanism is the first standout really interesting thing that creates everything else that's awesome about this game
- it's a Cutthroat Cube pushing game
- this game is completely open knowledge you know what everyone has they know what you have
- I also love this book mechanic it's completely themeless
- one quick note there's also a red City here and a red City here here you get seven in-game points if you're able to connect them
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video yr9MMc4Ln_o
All You Can Board Top List at 17:05
video_pk 62914 · mention_pk 155869
Click to watch at 17:05 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video T-kBBwCrMK4
All You Can Board Top List at 43:42
video_pk 62894 · mention_pk 155750
Click to watch at 43:42 · YouTube ↗
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's the meanest game in my top 10, no question
- there's just always something exciting to do on your turn
- it's an absolute hit
- it's the best social deduction experience I've ever had
- the shortest playing time
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ZCK1gj6673Y
Board Game Dad Discussion at 0:35 sentiment: positive
video_pk 37636 · mention_pk 113063
Click to watch at 0:35 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Deep strategic interplay with strong player interaction
- Elegant, minimal rules that reward long-term planning
Cons
- Can be punishing with heavy blocking
- Non-trivial setup and learning curve
Thematic elements
- trade routes and merchant competition
- medieval German trading cities
- dry, strategic
Comparison games
- Ticket to Ride
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Conflict-based bonuses — Removing opponent pieces from routes grants bonuses and disrupts plans.
- end game bonuses — Removing opponent pieces from routes grants bonuses and disrupts plans.
- Network/route building — Players claim trade routes to gain bonuses and block opponents.
- route claiming — Players claim trade routes to gain bonuses and block opponents.
- worker placement — Players send workers to actions and routes, competing with others.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- for once I'd like to tell you about a few games that I'm excited about
- these are all games that have been reprinted so many times that not only can you find them right now but you'll probably be able to find them long into the future
- it's one of the most yoy Euro games that I know
- the thing that I really like about it is that it's not a point salad game
- the game has this tightness to it that I really enjoy
- it's a game that involves a lot of laughter
- the crypto highly recommend it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 90H8HHsJmw8
Board Stupid Discussion at 23:43 sentiment: positive
video_pk 32757 · mention_pk 97061
Click to watch at 23:43 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Elegant, tight design with strategic depth
- Great for players who enjoy planning and optimization
Cons
- Rule complexity can be intimidating for newcomers
Thematic elements
- Economic strategy and routing with player interaction
- Medieval trade network building
- Euro-style abstraction
Comparison games
- Brass: Birmingham
- Castles of Burgundy
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Network/route building — Players expand trade networks across a map to gain points and influence.
- player interaction/competition — Direct competition for routes and suppliers increases tension.
- point-to-point route planning — Players expand trade networks across a map to gain points and influence.
- Positive player interaction — Direct competition for routes and suppliers increases tension.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the library I've had to look is freaking awesome
- the board gamer community is one of the finest community of all the obbies it is
- 99.999% people are nice and just want to play games and have fun
- wash your hands wash your hands damn it
- probably don't plan too much
- it's four days long
- airon is known as the friendly and inclusive gaming space
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video UWqrcHJ9b80
The Dice Tower Top List at 31:20 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13743 · mention_pk 40158
Click to watch at 31:20 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- excellent engine building
- strong player interaction
- excellent at five players
- beautiful components
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is my most played game of the year
- It is the perfect engine builder
- absolutely adore this game
- one that instantly I fell really hard for it
- would absolutely watch Oathsworn the HBO series
- the story and the setting is that rich
- for me the epitome of what a thematic game can be
- every click of the clock matters
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video JFRQf4tNvP4
The Secret Cabal Gaming Podcast Discussion at 6:00 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 11801 · mention_pk 34588
Click to watch at 6:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Strong strategic depth and elegant design.
Cons
- Outlandish visual elements in this discussion, which affect perceived aesthetics.
Thematic elements
- Trade routes, influence, and scholar-like optimization
- Medieval Hanseatic trade network
- Strategic, Euro-style
Comparison games
- Nations
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action/token placement — Players select actions via a structured action economy.
- route/network building — Players create and optimize trade routes across a network.
- scoring via influence and connections — Points earned through routes, influence, and achievements.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's insane it helps keep his body heated
- the moustache makes the picture
- the bear cloak going on is insane
- horizontal and vertical stripes and outfit
- the worst fashioned mistake a person could make
- naked with a hat and a rifle
- you better get off of my property
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _72yevr3XOI
Our Family Plays Games Discussion at 23:22 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10698 · mention_pk 31602
Click to watch at 23:22 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tight strategic decisions
- great for two players
- high player interaction
Cons
- can be opaque for newcomers
Thematic elements
- network building and route control
- medieval trade routes in the Holy Roman Empire
- economic, strategic
Comparison games
- Yokohama
- Dune: Imperium
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- engine-building / route building — players acquire actions to place monks and workers to influence routes and revenue
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a fight and we're fighting
- analysis paralysis is here to stay
- it's a brain burner
- it's not that heavy there's a lot to do
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 7GlhUw2TnZg
Our Family Plays Games Discussion at 51:08 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10115 · mention_pk 29773
Click to watch at 51:08 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Elegant, tight decisions
- High player interaction
Cons
- Can be intimidating for beginners
Thematic elements
- economic network building
- Hanseatic trade network in medieval Europe
- abstract-economic
Comparison games
- Power Grid
- Influenza (Influencia)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Hand/board interaction — activate actions and influence other players
- network building — develop routes and influence across a map
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's mechanics that make the game
- the Rondale (rondel) mechanic is strong
- Survive is the most treacherous blood curdling game in our household
- Starla month
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video v58xb6iNAwg
Our Family Plays Games Top List at 24:14 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9420 · mention_pk 27826
Click to watch at 24:14 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Pure strategic gameplay
- No luck involved
- Player controlled decisions
- Requires 3+ players
Cons
- Unattractive components
- Needs 3 players minimum
Thematic elements
- medieval_trading
- economic
- route_building
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video we32a416U6w
3 Minute Board Games Review at 0:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9367 · mention_pk 27587
Click to watch at 0:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Intense, high-interaction competition that rewards tactical disruption of opponents
- No luck-based elements; skill, planning, and positional judgment dominate
- Core mechanics are deeply replayable and scale well with different player counts
- Brings a satisfying sense of puzzle-solving through network and route optimization
- Pushy but not direct conflict provides a compelling Euro-game tension
Cons
- Can be miserable for players who fall behind due to lack of a robust catch-up mechanic
- No solo mode; strictly a 3–5 player experience
- Perceived long playtime and heavy resource management can be draining for some players
- Expansions are not strictly necessary but exist; core game is already dense
Thematic elements
- economic competition through route building, control of towns, and network expansion
- Renaissance Germany, networking between trading towns and routes
- procedural puzzle with indirect player interaction and evolving board state
Comparison games
- Troyes
- Brass Birmingham
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — five possible actions; the number of actions you can take each turn is determined by a track and can be expanded by upgrades
- Area Control — control of towns is exclusive; the rightmost trading post determines control unless someone has more posts overall
- displacement and reserve management — you can move your pieces to displace opponents; displaced players gain compensation via reserve replenishment
- network building — place trading posts to create a connected network and influence route scoring
- Network/route building — place trading posts to create a connected network and influence route scoring
- scoring and routes — points come from multiple sources including completed routes, connected towns, and token bonuses; scoring can occur mid-turn and at end-game final scoring
- upgrades and bonuses — upgrading action tracks and placing bonus tokens provide one-off abilities and additional scoring opportunities
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Hansa Teutonica is one of the most intensely competitive and in your face games I've ever played
- the whole gameplay Loop rewards you for getting in the way of your opponents and the person who wins is usually the one who's managed to jam their pieces into the path of everyone else playing the best
- it's also a game where you have to adapt to the constantly evolving board State and sticking to a plan just because it's your plan will end badly every time
- all up Hansa Teutonica is a brilliant game for people who like pushy games that aren't directly confrontational
- best thing about this game is just leaving your pieces in someone's way and making then move them, it's glorious
- however, this is a zero luck game and skilled players can absolutely Dominate and it can be a pretty miserable experience if you get behind as the game has no catch-up Mechanics
- Hansa Teutonica: Cube pushing is cool, gold medal game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video BNSIhcMiZsg
Before You Play Top List at 28:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8730 · mention_pk 25776
Click to watch at 28:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tight, tight competition for routes and spaces
- highly strategic with meaningful player interaction
Cons
- rules explanation can be dense for new players
Thematic elements
- building routes and networks while negotiating position
- medieval Hanseatic trade network across Europe
- euro-style strategy with a strong warlike undertone
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- blocking and kicking opponents out — you can displace opponents from spaces to gain action advantage.
- drafting/placement of network tokens — players place tokens and manipulate routes to expand influence.
- end-game scoring on multiple axes — points come from route control, network efficiency, and other metrics.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a brain burn—it can cause analysis, but in a good way.
- i love the Mancala-like mechanism in games
- there is potentially you can play with a hidden traitor mechanic in this game
- the heart of the game is in that auction, it feels like auction in a palace
- it's extremely tense
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video mygoxQgo8PM
No Pun Included Top List at 19:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7350 · mention_pk 21719
Click to watch at 19:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- deep strategic tension
- interactive blocking creates constant pressure
- elegant core engine
Cons
- arbitrary aggression can be punishing
- complexity may deter newcomers
Thematic elements
- merchants expanding networks and bottling blocks
- medieval Hanseatic trade networks
- economic, competitive
Comparison games
- Ticket to Ride
- Go
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cascading reimbursements — blocked cubes return on adjacent routes with bonuses
- multiple actions per turn — choose from several actions including upgrades and purchases
- placement and blocking — place cubes to claim routes and trade posts, block others
- scoring via networks and upgrades — points from routes, posts, and upgrades
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- What a good game.
- Through the Desert is one of his best.
- Real board games are the enemies we made along the way.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 4YHdlv_XJ2o
Chairman of the Board Discussion at 9:56 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3726 · mention_pk 80854
Click to watch at 9:56 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- engaging network mechanic
- tight, competitive play
Cons
- can be punishing or punting if you fall behind early
Thematic elements
- engine-building and network expansion
- medieval trade network
- strategic and competitive
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- engine-building through routes — expand route network and optimize actions
- network-driven scoring — points accrue via connected trade routes and posts
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I absolutely adore this one
- I think it is an absolute blast
- this game is fantastic
- an evergreen to me
- it's stripped back and still a blast
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 8AWaFF4v3r4
Rolls in the Family Top 10 List at 4:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1781 · mention_pk 121226
Click to watch at 4:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Intriguing heavier variant of a familiar mechanic
- Good longevity potential due to depth and interactivity
Cons
- Initially looks like homework; very heavy for some tastes
Thematic elements
- Trade routes, routes competition, and inter-player interaction
- Medieval Northern Europe / Hanseatic trade networks
- Heavily interactive Euro with deep strategic layering
Comparison games
- Twilight Inscription
- Twilight Imperium 4 (TI4)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- engine building — Your board upgrades influence future actions and scoring opportunities
- Engine-building via routing upgrades — Your board upgrades influence future actions and scoring opportunities
- worker placement — You place or move workers to develop routes and compete over shared infrastructure
- Worker placement / tile-driven routing — You place or move workers to develop routes and compete over shared infrastructure
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- There's nothing even close really, I think, to what this game is doing with this.
- It's not a campaign. It's a campaign game, but it can be played in one-offs as well.
- This one has the potential to be the best game we try this year.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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Showing 1–18 of 18
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