Solo play a quick review:

OK after several hours of printing out and pasting up the English translation cards, reading the rules, and one very detailed review on board game news I finally had a few hours to sit down and give this one a try.

The only reason I rated this game a 9.9 instead of a 10 is because the box is too small!! Yep once I get all my sleeved cards and pasted up English conversion into the German box the darn box is too small!!

If you like the "how efficient can I do it" aspect of Roads and Boats, and you like the "which action / role do I pick" aspect of Caylus then there is no way you can't come away loving this game.

The game theme itself is very well integrated into the game. With actions like Sow a field, take a grain, Sheep, Cattle and taking grain to bake bread, you actually feel like you could be farming.

The theme and game play in my first solo adventure was far less "dry" than Roads and Boats and also felt less repetitive. This is most likely because you have several different actions to choose from and so few "workers" to get the job done. I know I could do a lot better next time around as I didn't get any of my occupation cards into play until the 7th round of 14 rounds. Even if I used the same hand the action cards get shuffled and it will be a different game next time.

I like the fact that your options "occupations and minor improvements" will be different each and every game and I think this will keep the game new and different for a long long time. Using the random hand generator program available in the files link here on BGG will also keep the game new and exciting.

If you have not had a chance to play this game I strongly suggest getting a copy this is an EXCELLENT GAME with LOTS of replay value.

I can't wait for my first chance to play it with another player or two, until that time I will continue my solo farming adventures.

JP LaChance
Madison, WI