Stroganov (Kickstarter – Deluxe Edition)

Board Game Geek Reviews

1. 8 out of 10

   armikael

   Nice action selection game. It gives me a feel like playing a classic German euro game in a good aspect with greatly defined main rules and flow, but with modern art and design. Sometimes the random can punish you. Overall, I like it, and trying to understand what is missing here for me to rate it higher.

2. 3 out of 10

   cymric

   I really have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing in this game other than going through arbitrary motions which for arbitrary reasons yield VPs. Supposedly we are trappers and hunters trying to make a living off of the rich Siberian wildlife. Furs and pelts... can be traded into other resources which through convoluted schemes yield some VP ROI. Why do parts of regions need extra pelts of a randomly chosen animal to become your property? Beats me. Why do outposts built in a certain region remain stationary while the scenery changes dramatically? Beats me. Why does one horse plus one pelt equal a lesser pelt on offer in the market, but one pelt plus a coin yield an arbitrary pelt? Beats me. Why is there an asymmetry in movement throughout the lands? (I can only move forward; backward is quite difficult.) Beats me. Nothing in this game makes any intuitive sense. Save, perhaps, that yurts move about, because this is what yurts are supposed to do. As for the rest it feels constructed and contrived for no other reason than that it can. There are so many small sources of VPs to be had that after playing I really have no idea as to why I won as I did. There is no discerning core mechanism to be found here: the back and forth along a 'road' of tiles, then eventually claiming them as your own, is hardly original. Even the title makes little sense. It's a reference to one of the richest families in the 16th and 17th century, but frankly I don't associate trapping rabbits and marten with such affluent people. 'Siberia' would have been much more appropriate, I believe. There was a time when Norenberc was considered to be the black sheep of the author's family of game designs. That game now looks positively sane and attractive compared to this mess. When next people suggest I try Stroganov, I'm going to countersuggest either Norenberc or Yunnan by Aaron Haag. Or, what the heck, Caylus 1303. (As for people complaining that this game has. Like. Teh. Worst. Materials. Eveah.: no, it really doesn't. Annoying smooth-sticky finishes by shit Chinese manufacturers, of course; with strange dentable cardboard, also true... but really, there is much worse to be had out there.)

3. 8 out of 10

   boardgamenerdvana

   Upon seeing this game, I was immediately drawn to it because of its art and gorgeous table presence. I was somewhat hesitant to grab a copy because of the mixed reviews, but, basing off of my good experience with Steding’s previous title, Gugong, and how it got us into the world of eurogames, I knew I had to see for myself. I’m glad I did. ???? I have heard reviews about the game being AP-inducing and the downtime being terrible, so I came in prepared with those expectations. It wasn’t actually bad in our case as you’ll also be busy planning ahead on another players’ turn. I would highly suggest keeping the max no. Of players up to only 3 for it to not drag though. The art was brilliantly done, and the gameplay experience, nothing short of great. ???? There are a couple of paths to victory in Stroganov, and you have to stick to your strategy if you want to gain huge points, as most of the mechanics revolve around set collection. The iconography got a bit too confusing at times, thankfully, the game in itself is not overly complex and fiddly, that it wasn’t a chore to figure out what’s going on. Overall, I think this is a lovely euro that’s atleast worth a try. In my opinion, this should be rated higher. However, this game needs a major production overhaul, as I just can’t get over how a game like this gets presented in a terribly cheap way.