Entertaining strategy game with beautiful material

The palaces of Carrara
The 6 nominees for (Kenner-) Game of the Year are now published, and the correspondingly large interest to the designated tracks. Even on game Freu (n) de were recently the articles on Augustus, Qwixx and Andor in the foreground. What could be more than respond to the wishes of my readers and hereby to provide a review of the last 6 games, which I have not yet been presented: The palaces of Carrara

In Carrara (Kramer and Kiesling / Hans im Glück) arguing 2 to 4 family heads to favor and reputation of the king. Unlike today, the monarch, however, were not impressed then with chic hats or pompous weddings. No, all the buildings and neighborhoods, it was rather to build. And since Carrara is known for its extensive marble production, of course, is no other building material in question. At this point, the thematic connections ends however already, more to the story does not give us the rules. Accordingly simply the victory conditions wins but classically the player with the most victory points.

Black marble from junk
Game and playing field are largely dominated at Carrara by a large Ertragsrad, which provides us with a steady flow of marble. Otherwise contains the Schedule, in addition to the obligatory scoring track, is to be built six cities as well as a display of nine buildings to be constructed. Already, this structure acts sufficiently known and indicated the possibilities of the players already at the first glance. Accordingly, it is not surprising that we have to decide each round for one of three players actions. To select this are the purchase of marble, the construction of a building as well as a score. Let's start at this point with the raw materials acquisition. Marble in a total of 6 different quality (and price) levels is the graduates buyer. Their price depends on the position on the Ertragsrad and decreases from round to round by the wheel is turned further before making a purchase. With the second of the possible actions we use the marble to construct a building in one of the cities. Depending on the city, we need to ensure a certain minimum quality marble. Are some citizens from Lerici this little picky about the snobbish Livorner accept only the most expensive, white marble.

Livorno for 21 points
As the last of the possible actions is us the rating available. We may decide either to evaluate a building or one of the 6 towns. Depending on the building site (read: city) and building waving while rewards in terms of money, victory points, and wooden objects that are relevant for the final classification. The special at Carrara: Each city must be counted only once. Am I being too greedy and build too many buildings at all to be seen in one fell swoop, I snapped the other players scoring a few buildings quickly from under the nose.
Once a player performed 4 votes, as well as a certain amount of items collected and buildings built, he can announce the end of the game. After the final Siepunkte calculated for money, objects and buildings, the game winner is.

Mechanically sound
Anyone who has read the above text, which already should have noticed many similarities to other games. Carrara acts from the moment you familiar, almost all experienced players know too well. An exception is the end of the game, which may well come surprisingly quickly. The typical, long start-up phase with thick points at game end can almost completely eliminated in Carrara, where appropriate. However, this does not mean that strategic or tactical elements are entirely absent. The decision which city which buildings constructed purchased which marble or where should be considered quite makes for tension. I'm missing in this version but something new, the captivating element. The game works mechanically sound, but often feels dry to.

First read after
Immediately after the first opening of the package falls in a Carrara an envelope marked not open until you've played at least two games the core game in the hands. As wonderful and well-bred player which had the consequence that this envelope was open with me, long before I had read only the rules. Nevertheless, the first batch Carrara was played as a basic game (as described above) and the expansion of integrated later. So anyone who does not want to spoil the surprise if the content, should stop reading here. I'm waiting. Last Chance. Well, blame themselves:

In addition to a further Rulebook can be found in the envelope also additional repertoire. Including additional, very expensive buildings improve the construction of the rewards of cities in a rating and target maps of which are selected to match the start of 4 randomly. This provides the conditions for announcing the game end, and bonus points available to change.
What does all this mean for the feel? Firstly, the game is much more variable and complex. The randomly drawn scorecards ensure that the strategies must be adapted and the gameplay is varied. At the same time the expensive buildings provide an additional attraction. If you make it to evaluate such a city, many points are accurate. The risk that the other players a preempt, but should not be underestimated. Overall, the game delivers the full version significantly more gaming attraction for experienced players and is especially recommended in this form as well Kennerspiel. Fundamentally new ideas you're looking for even in this version, in vain, however, the familiar functions smoothly.

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