Le Havre: The Inland Port (Saturday Review)

Le Havre: The Inland Port is a unique board game that combines strategy and logistics to create an engaging and challenging gameplay experience. The game, designed by Uwe Rosenberg and published by Lookout Games, has garnered much praise since its release in 2008.

In Le Havre: The Inland Port, players take on the role of harbor masters in the French town of Le Havre, tasked with managing resources and building infrastructure to grow their economy. The goal of the game is to amass the most wealth by the end of the game, which is determined by the types and number of buildings constructed, as well as the amount of money and resources collected.

The gameplay of Le Havre: The Inland Port is divided into rounds, with each round consisting of several phases. In the first phase, players take turns selecting actions from a common pool of options, such as collecting resources from buildings or the central supply, constructing new buildings, or upgrading existing buildings. This phase requires strategic thinking and careful planning, as players must balance their actions to maximize their resources and gain an advantage over their opponents.

In the second phase, players make use of the resources they have collected to construct buildings or fulfill other objectives. Each building offers various benefits, such as income, resources, or special abilities, which can help players further their goals and gain an edge in the game. Additionally, players can trade resources with each other to bolster their own economies or hinder their opponents.

The third phase of the game involves maintaining and expanding the harbor by managing the flow of goods and resources. Players must juggle their resources, storage capacity, and income to ensure a steady stream of goods and maintain a thriving economy. Fulfilling the demands of the buildings and meeting the needs of the merchants are crucial to success in Le Havre: The Inland Port.

Overall, Le Havre: The Inland Port offers a deep and immersive gameplay experience that rewards strategic thinking, resource management, and careful planning. The game’s clever mechanics and challenging decisions make it a favorite among board game enthusiasts, and its replay value ensures that players will keep coming back for more. Whether you are a fan of economic simulations or simply enjoy a good strategy game, Le Havre: The Inland Port is sure to provide hours of fun and excitement.