Been eyeing this title for a minute now. With over a decade in the game, it's been a tough find, but I stumbled upon a sweet deal for a pre-loved copy at a steal. My bro, a massive board game head who got me hooked on this hobby (damn you, Seb!), had some good vibes about this joint, so I finally took the plunge. This review is mostly based on last night's sesh with four players, but I also gave Bruxelles a spin with just two (and it holds up!).
THEME
Players step into the shoes of architects building up Brussels, backing artists, hitting some town hall, or something along those lines. Someone might try to read deeper into it, but since the devs barely gave it two lines in the manual, I ain't sweating it. Bruxelles 1893 is thematically bland, which sucks 'cause the visuals nod to the era's style, and there's probably a story to tell here. Curiosity got me googling the names on the character cards, and it was cool to find out who they were and their role in Belgian history. Too bad Wikipedia breaks it down for us proudly while the game stays silent. 2/5.
RULES
There's a lot going on here, but thankfully not too much. We got about five rounds where players hustle their actions with their crew, snag resources, art pieces (think vases, chairs, and such), cash, connections (character cards), and build homes on the main board. It's basically a mix of popular mechanics from other board games - bidding rewarded with bonus cards, building up your crew on action spots, some deck building, and triggering bonus moves. The game keeps rolling 'til the end, 'cause you can rack up a ton of VPs for buildings or your stash of meeples/coins/cards/paintings at the finish line. Pros will catch on quick, others might feel a bit swamped, but it ain't rocket science. I'd say it's a solid 3.5 outta 5.
GRAPHIC DESIGN
For those into classic Euro games, the visuals might hit different, while the rest might just shrug. The graphics flirt with Art Nouveau, but it's a bit rough around the edges. Let's be real, the new edition brings way more flair. Still, I ain't mad at this style, and I respect the hustle to keep it Art Nouveau. I'm a graphic designer by trade, so maybe I'm biased. But the iconography on player boards is a mess; even with the rules down, it's hard to grasp, and the art on those "masterpieces" is a joke. Am I supposed to believe these are worth something? Three and a half outta five.
COMPONENTS
The main board's solid, dig the idea of it shuffling around action strips. Resources are random-colored cubes, so who knows what we're building with (probably concrete, metal, velvet, and cotton). Coins are cool, player boards are solid too. Standard stuff, gotta say, even after all these years, my copy still looks fresh (El Grande tower vibes).
INTERACTION
This is one tight worker placement (it's super cramped with four players), plus we got auctions at the end, and the crew advantage on the board. We'll be throwing up houses on action spots, making others jump through hoops for a piece, snagging small perks. There's a good bit of back-and-forth, and you feel like you're all at one desk at work (no AC), but at least you ain't stomping on each other's toes. 4/5.
PROS
In this game, you gotta keep your chin up, do your thing, 'cause at the end of the day, the score can flip and turn things around. Bruxelles 1893 blends different elements smoothly, it's well-designed and functional. Games don't drag on, it's worth keeping tabs on others, so no burying your face in your phone waiting for your turn. Setup and cleanup are a breeze too.
CONS
Everything's on point, but is it really thrilling? Each round feels kinda samey, even if you pick a different strategy each time. Graphics-wise, it's like an old, faded book - not everyone's cup of tea. It's lacking in excitement or surprises; you just climb the tracks and grab what you can. If it sounds a bit lifeless, that's 'cause it is.
FINAL VERDICT
Bruxelles 1893 holds its own, otherwise it wouldn't score a new edition. It runs smooth, keeps you locked in, needs some brainpower and consistency. Those into tight puzzles where you gotta hustle will dig it. For me, it's a solid pick, nothing more. I'll happily bust it out again sometime, but I ain't keeping it close. The gameplay's a tad repetitive, but if it ain't hitting the table often, it ain't a dealbreaker. I peeped the new edition - new Belle Époque tiles, wildcard art, pavilion construction. Not sure if it's what the game needs, but I'll reserve judgment since I haven't tried 'em. For now, I'll shelf the old-timer, with its dated look (and unfashionable mustache), but I always come back to it, so I'll give it a solid seven and a half outta ten.
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