We’re in 19th century, sea transport is more and more important. Both corporations and naval forces require newer and newer ships. Try to put yourself in the role of their manufacturers. Hire employees, buy accessories, get favour of evaluating committees. Don’t forget to rent a canal and you can heave anchor.
Players take turns, beginning with a randomly selected player and continuing around the table clockwise. On their turn, they will choose one of the available actions from the Action Track. The action will get the player something they need to help build their ships. On the player's next turn, they will move that Action Card ahead of all the others and choose a different action.
If a player completes a ship on their turn (ships consists of little cards depicting bows, sterns, and (preferably several) middle pieces with several options to add equipment or crew), it is taken out for a shakedown cruise in a canal, during which they may score points for speed, crew, equipment, or safety.
As players take their turns, the line of Action Cards will advance around the Action Track. When the lead Action Card reaches the Starting Space again, the countdown marker moves down one space, and play continues.
The game ends when the countdown marker reaches the finish space. (It can also end early if the players run out of Ship Cards.) Bonus points are scored for Government Contracts, and the player with the most points wins.
The game lasts about 30 minutes per player.
- deep thematic flavor when components integrate well
- overly complex punch-out components
- no included baggies for organization
- storage frustration
- industrial logistics and production
- dockyard and shipbuilding environment
- mechanical and logistical rather than story-driven
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- punch-board heavy components — numerous tokens with intricate shapes and purposes
- token organization and storage challenge — no proper baggies; storage is a pain
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Flappy bloody rule books
- they decided to print rules on a solid treasure map
- opening up an Ordnance survey map
- why do they think that you want empty space when you need as much shelf space as possible
- unmitigated random die rolls and card draws
- paid previews ... money grabbing bastards
References (from this video)
- One of the best rondell-based games available today
- Strong core mechanism once understood
- Can appear intimidating at first due to mechanics
- Maritime industry competition and optimization
- Industrial era shipbuilding; shipyard construction
- Engineering and production focus
- Pulsar 2849
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- component_assembly — Assembling ships from various parts to compete in a shipyard contest.
- fleet_competition — Time-bound contest to sail off completed ships in a blue ribbon competition.
- rondelle_action_selection — Actions are taken via a rondel (action wheel) for engine-building style play.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- beast of a game on the table
- epic game
- massive box
- one of those awesome massive games that we really do enjoy
- it's tense it's a fantastic experience
- one of the best times for larger groups
- it's one of the most famous cooperative games there is
- we urge you to play Pandemic
- one of the best rondell games that you can play today
- we love Dixit everybody that sticks it you should love it too
- it's a fantastic game we've had so many laughs with Cosmic Encounter
- one of mcgirt's best games and one of his most original games and that is Imperial
- it's a wonderful game
References (from this video)
- engaging engine-building with end-game objectives
- tight coupling of modules and tech tiles
- some players may find the system a bit dense or long
- production lines and crew management
- shipbuilding and river-flow logistics
- thematic yet highly strategic with end-game objectives
- Concordia
- Power Grid
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- crew and resource management — gathering crew and resources to assemble ships and maximize scoring
- rondelle action selection — travelling around rondelles to pick actions and build ships
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- this game is a masterpiece
- infinitely replayable
- an absolute Masterpiece
- this is such a cool game
- an absolute joy to play
- seven and a half out of ten