Noria

Noria is a game that truly captivated me from the moment I opened the box. Sophia Wagner's steampunk world, brought to life by the stunning artwork of Michael Menzel and Klemens Franz, immediately drew me in. The central "wheel building" mechanism is incredibly clever, and it was a joy to strategize and optimize my action selection. The ability to manipulate the rings of the wheel to gain an advantage over my opponents felt very satisfying, especially when I managed to pull off a complex move.

However, I must admit that the setup process can be quite lengthy, and the rules can be a bit convoluted at times. I found myself frequently referring to the rulebook, even after playing several games. The lack of dice also took some getting used to, as I'm accustomed to the element of chance in other games. But once I got a good grasp of the mechanics, I thoroughly enjoyed the strategic depth and the way the game encourages resource management and long-term planning.

If you enjoy games with complex engines and intricate resource management, Noria is definitely worth checking out. Be prepared to invest some time in learning the rules, but I believe the payoff in strategic depth and satisfaction is well worth it.