Very nice game with outstanding material

North Erwind
Well, as the times change. While we still have a few months ago at gewerkelt Nauticus (Cosmos) hours of our ships, we build this in North Erwind (Klaus Teuber / Cosmos) right before the game starts together. And build with I mean just that. Because the ship is in North Erwind not flat therefore as usual from other games, but as a beautifully designed cardboard model with a length of about 20 cm. And the lookout perched at an altitude of about 15 cm above it all.

But what do the 2 to 4 players now with their masterpiece of ship. Well actually the same as always. They trade goods, equip your ship with cannons and sailors and pirates take captured. Who The three existing ports supplying most successful will be appointed to the upper-model ship captain.

From the Cog
During the game we sail our ships either the waters of the three places Trutzhavn, Olesand or Norderkap. Before any place is to a stack of 8 concealed cardboard tiles. In addition to the appropriate destination port itself among traders, privateers hide but also sunken treasures. Have we decided on a stack, we cover gradually platelets according to our sailing on stage (at the beginning 4) and result in a maximum of 2 of the appropriate action. In most cases, this means the purchase or sale of wood, food, salt or other goods which we accommodate in the camp of our ship. In the port of destination itself, we can these products, as well as captive pirate captains or gold coins, use to place our victory point cubes. Who has first placed all its blocks, wins.

until the warship.
Sign up now to entirely unmentioned the last tile category remained that allows upgrading of the ship as well as the hiring of crew members. Against payment can be about our ship sailing through better (more maps reveal) or guns (for the fight against pirates) upgrade. Stielecht this be immediately installed in our ship. Also hired sailors who have their place. In fact, even their 5 places. Depending on the sailors bring us these bonuses, ranging from better trade than more accurate cannon fire through to spy the decks.

Conclusion
Unlike in the spectacular material suggests the game itself is rather classical, therefore. The rules are simple, understood the gameplay for one or two rounds. Nevertheless, there are some tricks to remember. I build first the sail out to draw more cards or I sat fully on guns and hunting pirates. Which sailor suit this approach? To what do I find the required stack cards? Here decisions are well taken.
At the same time as well as the significant proportion of happiness must not be overlooked. Especially at the beginning, I prefer a maximum of 4 of 8 tiles and has been designed in the correct pile in no way to be sure that the desired location appears. Later in the game I get the stack to know and be on sailing and sailors to more platelets, which significantly reduces the luck component. At this stage, clever and careful planning determines the game. The game time is approximately 45 minutes pleasant level.

What remains as a whole? The most striking thing about North Erwind is clearly the material. Upgrading your ship with real cannons and sailors just makes a lot more fun than simple markers on game boards to push around. Also playful leaves hardly expose something at North Erwind, the games run smoothly and elegantly. For high volume players and strategists North Erwind perhaps offers little that is new, and in the medium term too few options, as a family game, it is recommended consistently.

The game itself is a clear 4-star game for me. Absolutely deserved bonus star there but for the equipment.

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