Hallertau

Hallertau is a game that takes the classic Uwe Rosenberg resource management formula and gives it a fresh coat of paint. The game is set in the Hallertau region of Germany, and players take on the role of village leaders, aiming to increase their wealth and prestige. You do this by collecting resources, farming, breeding sheep, and fulfilling goal cards.

One of the things I really enjoy about Hallertau is the worker placement system. It's a little different from other worker placement games, in a good way. Workers can be placed on spaces multiple times, but it gets more expensive each time. This creates a really interesting tension, as you have to decide whether to place your workers on more expensive spaces for a better return, or on cheaper spaces to save your resources.

The game also has a unique card play system. You can play cards at any time, and the timing can be very important. This creates a lot of strategic depth, as you have to think about which cards to play and when to play them. I also love the way the cards interact with each other. There are a lot of different combos you can make, and each one can have a huge impact on your game.

While I'm not normally a fan of sheep in my board games, the inclusion of sheep in Hallertau is actually well-done. They are a valuable resource early on, but eventually they die off, so you have to think about your long-term strategy. This adds another layer of complexity to the game, and I think it's a really clever design choice.

Overall, I'm really impressed with Hallertau. It's a fun, strategic game that I think is accessible to both new and experienced gamers. It's a great addition to Uwe Rosenberg's portfolio, and I'm sure it will be a hit with many players.