A couple of weeks ago we play Le Havre. I’m pretty sure the game’s name translates into “You’re Screwed†because that’s how I felt most of the game. That’s not to say we didn’t like the game, because we did. It’s just that your turn can be very frustrating at times.
Since it’s been a few weeks, I’m sure I have more than the usual number of game terms wrong. There are 7 turns in a round that get split up between the players. Since we had four players, someone would only get one turn each round, while the rest would get two. On your turn you can either take resources or use a building (buy moving your token into the building.) You finish your turn with a buying and selling action—basically buying things you need, like buildings. We hardly ever sold anything.
One of the basic “screw†points of the game is planning. Maybe you’re planning to build a building or to use a building to further your plans. Odds are that build won’t be available when it comes around to your turn or you were forced to use your resources for something else so your plans crumble to dust. Also, food became a major resource as you needed more and more of it at the end of each round.
Everyone seemed to struggle during the game except Mike. He cruised through to an easy win with 96 points. Owen and I were fighting not to be in last place. Owen won that battle—just barely. Ben came in second with 59 points. Owen got the coveted third place finish with 54 and I was 1 point behind him.
One last point, it may sound like I didn’t like the game. That’s not true at all. I did like the game. We’re planning on playing it again soon so we can crush Mike…or better learn the game. I forget which.
Chaos Steve