I have this game and i know that mechanics are interesting but it just doesn't shine for me. It collects dust, because, and this is strange, it brings too much tension when i play with my family. Because it is really in your face game, when you take resources that you don't need, but someone needs them badly. Well this is how most games play, but somehow in this game competition is really harsh. Or i need better groups for playing this:) Though i'm not very excited with the gameplay either.
@haxpet This isn't meant to be an example of optimal play, just a general example of play.
@haxpet I think that the BGG weighting system (although not an overall representation of what EVERYONE things of the game) would disagree with you. The math is easy enough for most people, but it is fairly constant throughout the game.
No way is 2 player Power Grid good... I've played it every number of player about 3 or 4 times each and the best is probably 4 or 5 depending on the map, 6 is way too long and a little too chaotic. Definitely play with hidden money and limit turns to 3 or 4 minutes per person at MOST. The reason I stopped playing this was my group would over analyze it and the game would take 4 hours... ugh!
@MathieuVIII Well, the game is entirely about optimizing your route, buying appropriate goods, winning auctions, etc., which are all VERY common mechanics in train games.
@MathieuVIII If you look up Funkenschlag (the original edition), you can see it was basically a crayon rail game, with power lines instead of rail lines. It's Empire Builder in disguise in the same way that Samarkand is Chicago Express in disguise.
While this was a good review for the game, I strongly disagree with Power Grid not being a good game with 2 players. It is one of my favorite games and I play it with 2 players a lot. I refuse to play it with more than 4 because it takes forever.
Tips that work for me: 1. Restrain yourself from constantly upgrading your plants.
2. Hoarde resources at the end, but can also be used to threaten others out of the market you control.
3. Try to remain in last position through the majority of the game.
4. When jumping to phase two, be prepared to buy alot of houses.
5. Know when the last turn will be.
6. Buying houses is more about area control then making money (at least with the group I play with)
7. Have access to center of the map
Frod 8 months ago
I have this game and i know that mechanics are interesting but it just doesn't shine for me. It collects dust, because, and this is strange, it brings too much tension when i play with my family. Because it is really in your face game, when you take resources that you don't need, but someone needs them badly. Well this is how most games play, but somehow in this game competition is really harsh. Or i need better groups for playing this:) Though i'm not very excited with the gameplay either.
wr00t 9 months ago
Love Power Grid! There are expansion maps out there now too.
Bethintx1 9 months ago
I'm just amazed that it's 2011 and you're just now reviewing Power Grid.
DjFIL007 9 months ago 2
@DjFIL007 As I didn't start reviewing games until 2011, it isn't too surprising. As for why Tom didn't review it, well I don't know.
slaqrgeek 9 months ago 2
But the review was quiet good otherwise. :-)
haxpet 9 months ago
I don't think this is a very heavy game. You need to do a lot of math, but it's easy math. If you can't add, then you need to go back to school.
haxpet 9 months ago
Why is the player building from Bremen to Hamburg when he can build from Lübeck?
haxpet 9 months ago
@haxpet This isn't meant to be an example of optimal play, just a general example of play.
@haxpet I think that the BGG weighting system (although not an overall representation of what EVERYONE things of the game) would disagree with you. The math is easy enough for most people, but it is fairly constant throughout the game.
slaqrgeek 9 months ago
It's not dollars, it's electro.
haxpet 9 months ago
No way is 2 player Power Grid good... I've played it every number of player about 3 or 4 times each and the best is probably 4 or 5 depending on the map, 6 is way too long and a little too chaotic. Definitely play with hidden money and limit turns to 3 or 4 minutes per person at MOST. The reason I stopped playing this was my group would over analyze it and the game would take 4 hours... ugh!
StexeGod 9 months ago
Why is it similar to train games???
MathieuVIII 9 months ago
@MathieuVIII Well, the game is entirely about optimizing your route, buying appropriate goods, winning auctions, etc., which are all VERY common mechanics in train games.
slaqrgeek 9 months ago
@MathieuVIII If you look up Funkenschlag (the original edition), you can see it was basically a crayon rail game, with power lines instead of rail lines. It's Empire Builder in disguise in the same way that Samarkand is Chicago Express in disguise.
twentysides 9 months ago
Hey Ryan, you live close to Tom in FL ?
gagawolala 9 months ago
@gagawolala Not even close, I live in Northern Illinois!
slaqrgeek 9 months ago
While this was a good review for the game, I strongly disagree with Power Grid not being a good game with 2 players. It is one of my favorite games and I play it with 2 players a lot. I refuse to play it with more than 4 because it takes forever.
Darklordbrink 9 months ago
@Darklordbrink I agree. I think that the game is really good with 2 or 3 players but becomes too long with more than 4 players.
MathieuVIII 9 months ago