Brass: Birmingham – Number 1 game of all time, Really?

Brass: Birmingham Review:

The Economic Heavyweight That Rewards Clever Planning

Why the Game Works

Brass: Birmingham is an economic strategy game set in the Industrial Revolution. You build cotton mills, coal mines, iron works, breweries and more. Then you connect them with canals and railways. It is thinking, planning and a little bit of mean.

It is supposed to be historically correct, if you really are in to that. Gamewise that has made some interresting/wierd decisions. Some that I for one found wierd for a gameplay perspective.

A game has two eras: Canal and Rail. In each era, you take turns doing two actions by playing cards. You build, sell, expand your network, take a loan or develop. At the end of each era, your network and your flipped industries score points. Simple turns. Deep decisions. If you don´t plan ahead well this could be very punishing.

My first game, I took a huge loan to build fast. I felt like a tycoon. Then my income crashed and I felt like a bear that fell out of a tree. Lesson learned.

I dont think I have ever won a game of Brass: Birmingham. And I really don´t plan to play it as to much to find out the way to win. 

For me, this game is a good design but it really felt flat for me. I play board games and games in general to escape the world and all its chores. Brass: Birmingham made me fell like I was working overtime. 

To me the best game ever made should appeal to everyone, new players, young players as experienced and older players and at all player counts. In my oppinion this does not even come close to that. It´s a game for a perticular type of player.

It´s a special game for sure and well put together. But at this point I feel like people are only raving about it because it has gotten this cult status and many don´t dare to say otherwise.

I for one will be completly transparent and say this is not for me. I don´t think it is even close to being in a top number 1 spot of all time. Not even in the top 20 games of all time. There I said it.

Gameplay & Rules in a Nutshell

Teaching tip: explain the goal first. You want your industries to sell, because flipped tiles score and boost your income.

• Cards: Each action costs one card. Location cards let you build there. Industry cards let you build that industry anywhere you are connected.
• Build: Place an industry tile. Coal, iron and beer are resources, and other players can use yours.
• Network: Add canals in era one or railways in era two to link towns.
• Sell: Sell cotton, pottery or goods to a connected market. You may need beer to do it.
• Develop and loan: Develop removes weak tiles and unlocks stronger ones. A loan gives cash now but lowers your income.

When both eras end, the player with the most victory points wins. That is it. The depth comes from timing and from sharing resources with your rivals.

Who Is This Game For?

• Players: 2–4
• Playing time: roughly 60–120 minutes
• Complexity: heavy, around 3.9 out of 5 on BGG weight
• Age: 14+

Perfect for gamers who love economic puzzles. It is not the best first game. If you have played Ticket to Ride and want more, this is a big step up. It´s a game for people who loves mechanics for the mechanics sake. The theme is good but not great or even interresting, at least not for me. It shows a grin past where lives were really bad for many working class people and you have to be okay with taking a loan. Which for me got a bit to close to reality.

But if you dont mind any of that. Then this game is surely for you.

I dont think it works well enough for 2 players. You need to be at least 3 players and best at 4 players

Why Is This Game Good?

Reviewers keep praising how tight the design is. There is almost no luck beyond the card draw. Every action matters. The shared resources create interesting interaction without direct attacks. Many call it one of the best strategy games ever made, and the two-era structure keeps it fresh from start to finish.

Complaints: the rulebook is dense, and the board is not very pretty. Analysis paralysis can show up with slow players.

Our Verdict

Brass: Birmingham is a modern classic. It is demanding, rewarding and deeply satisfying. If you enjoy heavy games with no fluff, buy it. A must-have for strategy fans.

But not a game I´m seaking out to play regularly because of previously named statements. But one can not disregard the hype and the love for the game and the design which is very good. Just not for me.

Buy at Amazon