Power Grid - A Shocking Review

[@JimJonesGreatBigTable]

I love your reviews in general and I really like that you don't just focus on the new games that are out there. The classics need love to and it is great to see why they still hold up as classics and should be considered for play by players old and new to the hobby. Thank you!

[@BoardGameBollocks]

You’re welcome mate 👍🏻

[@DeepFriedDave]

Have you tried his game Faiyum?

[@BoardGameBollocks]

I have not

[@stefangustavsson9]

Thank you for this review of a really classic board game. This is my no 1 of all games. Got the recharged copy and the two extra power plant expansions. Unfortunately not all in my gaming group like this game, so it does not hit the table often enough. Too bad. Almost 20 years later and still very high (overall 57) on BGG board game list and that says it all.

[@artyhowlin]

I totally agree it’s a great game and has stood the test of time, albeit it is a bit of an endurance test especially with 6 players. Note I think you misstated a rule - whereas the building slots that are available to build in is dependent upon which game step you are in, the cost is whatever it says on the board and is not dependent on the step.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

I meant that you can’t buy 15 or 20 cost houses in step 1 etc…so in that sense it is dependent on the steps 👍🏻

[@foyoGames]

Love the in depth retro reviews ...still got chaos in the old world anyway

[@tlee5530]

Great review, I was able to get the deluxe version but then I found out that you can't use any of the expansion maps. Do you think 2 maps is enough? Thanks for your time

[@BoardGameBollocks]

For me yes. I don’t have any of the extra maps. The two in the box are enough. I have Concordia for map expansions fetishism

[@petermillen6924]

Back when Power Grid was published the term Eurogame was not in use. Games like this were ‘German Games ‘ or ‘Designer Games ‘ or even ‘These Games of Ours ‘. Faced with the dilemma of a game that I enjoyed playing, which you call a Eurogame my defence is ‘no it’s not!’ - or at least not a SLEUG. Power Grid has a clear theme and more importantly the mechanisms flow from the theme, combative player interaction, no Victory Points (and therefore no point salad). I retain my copy and some expansion maps, though I will probably never play it again in my current gaming circles.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

It’s a train game essentially. I use the term euro so the 5 year bandwagoners understand what I’m going on about. Did they wear they crayons down in Funkenschlag? I doubt it…

[@thomasrippert5827]

I recomend Heavy Cardboard and their playtroughs of PG - different maps, player count, and some rules changes.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Edward has got his playthroughs down expertly. Bloke who teaches core power grid has the most boring voice in the world though…worse than mine.

[@theshogunstein6475]

I gotta play it

[@BoardGameBollocks]

Robots expansion makes it really good with 2.

[@tabletopcloset8992]

Love me a bit of Funkenschlag. ⚡ You ever try the Korea map?

[@BoardGameBollocks]

No mate. Only have the core game.

[@tabletopcloset8992]

It's a good 'un. It has dual markets with cheap coal in the North and nukes in the South - tough choice. I was Seould after one play. 👍

[@jackburtonstwin]

It's a strong game and I am surprised that no one has stepped in with a jazzed-up reprint to date.

[@BoardGameBollocks]

There was the deluxe edition a few years ago and there’s the recharged version. Loads of existing maps probably make it tough to sell a new one.

[@ShadyNetworker]

@@BoardGameBollocks The Recharged version left the art completely as in, it just added a bit of optimization but all in all, it's essentially the same game. A version with updated art would probably do well, although I'm not sure what theme would fit, if they would change it.