Shipyard (23 December 2009)

Lance's new game, called Shipyard, has lots of bits and the setup instructions didn't seem clear. It is an extension of the rondel system four different rondels each with a single pawn give access to different resources or bonuses on future actions and there is a strange rondel inspired race track for the actions. The actions are tiles which sit on the race track and move to the front of the race each time they are executed. The player's pawns move backwards and forwards from action to action. Only one pawn is allowed per action, though you can execute actions other pawns are on for $6 (equal to your starting capital). Once you have moved your pawn to an action you collect a dollar for each other person's pawn who is ahead of you on the track and then execute your action.

You are building ships from hull bits (bows, sterns and middle bits), adding engines, sails, crew etc. A finished ship scores points and then goes for a shakedown cruise which can gain you more points. There are bonus points cards which give you more points at the end of the game.

It is a game about managing your resources efficiently. As we were learning we didn't concentrate on frustrating each other too much. We did find that with four players there were rhythms set up which meant that two players tended to get locked out of gaining income each turn if the other two players continually chose actions at the back to maximised their incomes.

Choosing the right bonus cards and working towards them can double your basic points as Jarratt demonstrated.

Jarratt 115
Lance    84
John B   79
Ian      64