Neue Heimat -- Great Things Come in Shoebox-Type Packages

[Gerald]

Neue Heimat is a game by Klaus Zoch, published by Chili Games. It comes in a red shoebox... capped with a cardboard sleeve presenting the game's title and illustration. If you're in a hurry and prefer my opinion about the game now rather than in the end, then in my humble opinion, this is a great game that sadly hasn't been published in english (YET), and one that economic gamers should at the very least TRY and play. Its fairly short but despite the brisk pace, is very tense and filled with agonizing decisions to be made.

As of right now, the game can only be purchased directly from the publisher (you can do a group order to save on shipping) or thru the BGG Marketplace should you be lucky enough to chance upon one.

COMPONENTS:
The game comes with a rulebook, a small board, a bunch of brightly colored wooden dice, half-circles and notched cubes. Plus it comes with paper "money" in the form of checks. I like the components, they are solid and a joy to look at. I expected the board to be a bit bigger, but after playing it a couple of time, I can see that it being small helps with the immersion.

For the price, I'd say you get a fair shake. Not a steal, but you don't feel mugged either.

GAMEPLAY:
The gameplay is simple yet elegant. I won't go thru every rule, but here's a reader's digest version of 'em. Every player starts off with $12,000,000. On your turn, being the auctioneer, you choose ANY item to put of for auction. That item can be a floor (colored dice), the mayor, special permits (notched cubes) or roofs. Everyone bids and once everyone has passed and someone has won, the auctioneer now has the option to either match the bidder's bid and purchase the item for himself/herself, or to rub his grubby little hands and greedily accept the bidder's payment. In whichever case, after money has changed hands, the one who paid gets to place the item on the board (or discard it when possible).

Oh... and at the beginning of your turn, you can also choose to siphon $1,000,000 as part of your "illegal earnings". This money is set aside and will count as point(s) at the end of the game, but will no longer be part of the economy.

Once all the roofs have been placed or two rows have been completed, the game ends and whoever has the most points wins.

I marvel at how the designer made something as simple as bidding so elegant in this game. Trying the find the "sweet spot" so the auctioneer won't just buy it off of you and trying to find that one item to put up for bid that'll garner you the most money is viciously delightful.

COMPARING IT TO OTHER ECONOMIC GAMES:
It goes without saying that Neue Heimat is not as deep as games like Indonesia, or Wealth of Nations, or Container... but it doesn't try to be. It stands out unique among a crowd of economic games, and doesn't pretend to be something its not.

Don't go in with a mentality that "this game is like X and/or Y", and I promise you that Neue Heimat will NOT disappoint.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
I haven't had a shred of buyer's remorse for Neue Heimat and would gladly get another copy or two to give to close friends. Its a great game that deserves more exposure and its a pity that an english publisher has yet to pick it up. Money well spent.

Should you get this game? If like me, you love economic games but often don't have the time and/or inclination to play a 3-5 hour economic game, and yet prefer something with a bit more meat... then this game will be perfect for you. If on the other hand, your gaming group tend to take things a little personally, then I recommend you play other games as this game does have alot of screwage going on.

Overall, I'm loving this game and heartily recommend everyone to at the very least TRY it.