Wouter & Ymke 
Step into the 19th century, where industrial corporations are competing to extract and process resources for maximum profit. In Furnace, you play as a capitalist leader of one such corporation. Your goal is to outsmart your rivals through clever bidding and strategic resource management to make the most money.
Game Overview
Furnace is designed by Ivan Lashin and published by Arcane Wonders. It’s a game for 2-4 players, ages 12 and up, with each session lasting about 30-60 minutes. The game features straightforward rules, but the complexity lies in the planning and execution of your strategy.
Core Mechanics
Bidding System
The auction phase is central to Furnace. Players use discs valued from 1 to 4 to bid on company cards. The highest bidder wins the card and gains its actions in the production phase. However, lower bids are not wasted. Players receive compensation based on the top of the card, multiplied by their bid value. This introduces a strategic element where bidding low can be advantageous if opponents outbid you, allowing you to gather or convert crucial resources.
Engine Building
Players build production chains by acquiring company cards and upgrading them using tokens. Each starting company provides an upgrade token, which enhances the purchased factories and unlocks stronger actions. Deciding the order in which to activate your companies is vital, as each must be resolved individually from top to bottom.
Resource Management
Gathering and converting resources efficiently is key to maximizing your profits. Miscalculations can leave you with insufficient resources, disrupting your production chain. Smart resource management is essential to ensure smooth operations and optimal outcomes.
Gameplay Experience
Furnace offers a rich strategic experience. Estimating which cards opponents want and underbidding them to gain compensation is a core part of the game. This involves predicting opponents’ moves and tactically placing your bids to either win the card or gain valuable resources.
Each round starts with a number of cards drawn based on the player count, ensuring that no two games are the same. The random order of cards and the challenge of finding effective combinations within the provided options make each game unique.
Components and Setup
The game components, including the cards, discs, and tokens, are of high quality. Furnace is quick to set up and explain, making it accessible for new players while providing enough depth to keep experienced gamers engaged.
Player Interaction and Replayability
Furnace shines in its player interaction. The bidding phase is highly competitive, with each player’s decisions directly impacting others. The game’s variability, driven by the random order of cards, ensures high replayability. Searching for the best combinations and adapting to the available cards keeps the gameplay fresh and challenging.
Potential Drawbacks
One aspect that might be a downside for some players is how punishing the game can be if you miscalculate your resources or bids. This can lead to frustration, especially if you end up with an unwanted card that derails your strategy. The compensation mechanism, while strategic, can sometimes feel imbalanced and might not always work in your favor.
Conclusion
We like Furnace because it’s very quick to set up and explain. It plays very fast but has a lot of depth and player interaction. The strategic bidding and smart resource management offer a compelling and engaging experience. If you enjoy games that require clever planning and tactical decisions, Furnace is definitely worth trying.
📝 Disclaimer: We received a copy of the game from the publisher, Arcane Wonders.
