Newton
Newton review
Newton is a game that takes you back to the Scientific Revolution, where you play as a young scientist vying to become one of the great geniuses of the era. The game is a mix of Eurogame mechanics and deck and hand management, which makes for a fast-paced and engaging experience. You travel around Europe, visit universities and cities, study to discover new theories, build new tools, and earn money.
The game is played over six rounds, and each round you play five cards from your hand to perform actions. Each action has a variety of effects that depend on the symbols on the board. At the end of each round, you keep only one card on the board, sacrificing the potential of that action but increasing its strength. You can also acquire new cards with additional powers to perform more actions.
The game is definitely challenging, but it's also very rewarding. There are multiple paths to victory, and each game feels different depending on the randomized board and tiles. I really enjoyed the sense of accomplishment I felt when I managed to pull off a big combo move and saw my strategy come together. This game is definitely for Eurogame fans who like a lot of choices and deep strategy. The components are a bit flimsy, and the art could be better, but those are minor quibbles compared to the great gameplay.
However, I do need to point out a few things that might not appeal to everyone. The game is fairly complex, so it might not be the best choice for new board gamers. It can also be a bit dry, and the lack of interaction between players might turn off some people. The game does a decent job of capturing the spirit of the scientific revolution, but it's not really an educational game. You won't learn much about actual history or science, and it's really just about the mechanics and the strategy.
Overall, Newton is a fantastic game for experienced Eurogame players who are looking for a challenge. It's fast-paced, engaging, and offers a lot of replayability. If you're looking for a game with deep strategy and a lot of choices, then Newton is definitely worth checking out.