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In Shipyard (2nd Edition), set in the year 1870, players step into the role of shipbuilders during a time of significant maritime change. The game captures the transition from sail to steam-powered ships, with players competing to build the fastest, safest, and most efficient vessels of the era.
👥 1-4 players, ages 14+
⌛ Playing time: 60-120 minutes
📝 Designer: Vladimír Suchý
🎨 Artwork: Michal Řezníček & Adela Stopka
🏢 Publisher: Delicious Games (review copy provided)
The gameplay of Shipyard is structured around turns, each consisting of several steps that players follow in sequence. Each player’s turn begins by adjusting the Action Track, a central element of the game. This track dictates the available actions and their sequence. Players move their previously chosen Action tile to the beginning of the track, rotating the turn tracker wheel, a mechanism that marks the passage of time in the game and influences various gameplay aspects.
🛠️ After updating the Action Track, players select a new action for their turn. The choice of action is strategic, as it must be different from the one just moved and cannot already be selected by another player. Each action relates to shipbuilding, such as acquiring ship parts or recruiting crew, and is crucial for advancing players’ goals. Players also earn guilders (the game’s currency) based on the position of their chosen action in relation to others. This income can then be used to perform additional actions or acquire necessary resources.
🧩 The core of the turn is performing the chosen action, which directly contributes to building ships. These actions encompass a range of strategic decisions, such as acquiring various ship parts like bows, sterns, and middle sections to construct a complete vessel, or investing in essential components like equipment and crew to enhance the ship’s capabilities. Players might also engage in activities like renting a canal to facilitate the all-important Shakedown Cruise, purchasing commodities, or even trading in the marketplace to optimize resources. Additionally, the game offers the opportunity to hire employees, whose skills can prove invaluable in the shipbuilding process, providing benefits like manufacturing extra equipment or securing better deals. After executing the primary action, players may also opt to pay for a bonus action, giving them a strategic advantage or the opportunity to speed up their shipbuilding process.
🛳️ Finally, if a player completes a ship during their turn, they conduct a Shakedown Cruise. This step is where the ships are tested, and players score points based on various criteria such as speed and crew. The Shakedown Cruise is a critical moment for players to assess their shipbuilding decisions and gain points that contribute to their overall score.
🔄 As the game progresses, players continue to build ships and navigate the choices presented by the Action Track. The turn tracker wheel and the depletion of cubes from the reserve row mark the game’s progression, signaling the approach of the game’s conclusion.
🏁 The endgame is triggered when certain conditions are met, such as running out of Ship tiles or when the last cube is removed from the reserve row. In this final phase, players have limited turns to complete their remaining ships and maximize their points. The game concludes with players revealing their Government Contracts, which provide additional scoring opportunities. These contracts, along with points scored during the game, determine the final standings. The player with the highest score, indicating the most successful shipbuilding enterprise, wins the game.
Shipyard, originally crafted by Vladimír Suchý and published back in 2009, has returned in a refreshed second edition by Delicious Games. This second incarnation maintains the core of the well-loved gameplay, yet it feels as engaging as it did fifteen years ago, a testament to its enduring charm. One notable addition is the solo mode, expanding the game’s reach from 1 to 4 players, suitable for ages 14 and up. With game durations spanning 1-2 hours, it promises deep and thoughtful play sessions.
🎨 The game’s visual appeal has significantly evolved. The beige tones of the original have been replaced with vibrant artwork by Michal Řezníček and Adela Stopka. The rondels, a key visual and functional element of the game, have been redesigned for a more integrated appearance. The inclusion of stokers as a new crew type brings a fresh aspect to the gameplay, replacing the original propellers.
📦 Opening the box of Shipyard reveals a trove of components, so plentiful they almost spill out. While the quality is solid and functional, the standout elements are the 3D cardboard crane and tray. These not only catch the eye but also streamline game setup after their initial, straightforward assembly. For those desiring an enhanced aesthetic, wooden components are available for purchase separately, adding a touch of elegance to the gameplay tableau.
⚙️ At its heart, Shipyard remains the classic rondel game many remember fondly. The rulebook is a model of clarity, meticulously eliminating ambiguities – a crucial feature given the game’s intricate rule set. While the overall structure of turns and actions is intuitive, the game’s depth emerges from the myriad possibilities and considerations involved in ship construction.
🧩 Choosing actions in Shipyard is deceptively simple yet strategically complex. Players must carefully sequence their actions, a task made more challenging at higher player counts as desired actions might be claimed by others. While guilders can buy bonus actions, their scarcity makes this an infrequent luxury. An important aspect to take into account when selecting actions is the number of opponent cubes on tiles to the right of it, which is a primary method for acquiring the precious guilders.
⚓ Shipyard is akin to a multifaceted puzzle, with the Shakedown Cruise phase bringing your shipbuilding prowess into sharp focus. Here, ships are evaluated on speed, crew efficiency, and the presence of vital equipment. The thoughtful assembly of sails, smokestacks, cranes, and cannons, along with the strategic placement of crew, determines the ship’s performance as it navigates the canal, encountering officials who assess various aspects for scoring.
💭 Shipyard (2nd Edition) stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of deeply strategic and thoughtful gameplay. It’s a journey back to the 19th-century shipyard, where every decision and action weaves into a rich tapestry of maritime industrialization. If you appreciate crunchy eurogames and seek an experience that has gracefully withstood the test of time, Shipyard is certainly worth boarding.
📝 Disclaimer: We received a review copy of Shipyard (2nd Edition) from the publisher, Delicious Games.
