Brass: Birmingham Board Game Review
Brass: Birmingham, designed by Gavan Brown, Matt Tolman, and Martin Wallace, published by Roxley in 2018, ranks among the finest strategy board games available. This economic game places 2-4 players in England’s Industrial Revolution, competing as entrepreneurs building industries and transportation networks. With 60-120 minute playtime and 14+ age rating, it earned the 2018 Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game award.
Brass: Birmingham Overview
The game transports players to Birmingham between 1770 and 1870. Players develop coal mines, iron works, cotton mills, potteries, and breweries while building canal and rail networks to transport goods.
Victory requires balancing short-term profits with long-term network development. Resources you produce might fuel an opponent’s expansion while your plans depend on their infrastructure.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Designer | Gavan Brown, Matt Tolman, Martin Wallace |
| Publisher | Roxley |
| Year Released | 2018 |
| Players | 2-4 |
| Age Range | 14+ |
| Playing Time | 60-120 Minutes |
| Game Type | Economic, Industry/Manufacturing, Network Building |
| Complexity Rating | 3.87 / 5 |
What’s in the Brass: Birmingham Box
Roxley’s production quality stands out immediately. The double-sided game board features stunning artwork with day and night sides offering visual variety.
Each player receives a personal board for tracking industries and income. The game includes over 180 cardboard industry tiles, coal cubes, iron cubes, beer barrels, location cards, industry cards, and money tokens. The deluxe edition adds iron clay poker chips that enhance the tactile experience significantly.
Brass: Birmingham Pros and Cons
Pros
- Deep strategic decisions with meaningful long-term consequences
- Elegant interconnected economy affecting all players
- Outstanding production quality and artwork
- High replay value through variable strategies
- Two eras create natural story progression
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring multiple plays
- Analysis paralysis can slow games considerably
- Rules complexity may overwhelm casual gamers
- Premium price point at $79.99 MSRP
How to Play Brass: Birmingham
The game spans two distinct eras. The Canal Era covers 1770-1830, followed by the Rail Era from 1830-1870. Each era concludes with scoring before resetting network links.
Setup and Turn Structure
Players receive player mats, industry tiles, money, and cards. Each turn, players perform two actions: Build places industry tiles, Network adds links, Develop upgrades tiles, Sell converts goods into income, Loan provides cash, and Scout exchanges cards.
Resource Management
Three resources drive the economy. Coal powers rail construction, iron enables development, and beer facilitates selling goods.
Winning Brass: Birmingham
Victory points accumulate through flipped industry tiles and network connections. The player with highest combined score after the Rail Era wins.
Where to Buy Brass: Birmingham
| Retailer | Notes |
|---|---|
| Amazon | Standard and Deluxe editions |
| Game Nerdz | Discounted pricing |
| BoardGameBliss | International shipping |
| Miniature Market | US retailer |
| Philibert | European retailer |
Brass: Birmingham Game Mechanics
Hand management forms the core decision space. Cards determine where you can build, forcing players to balance ideal locations against available options.
The shared market economy creates fascinating tension. When you build a coal mine, opponents might consume your resources first. Similar economic strategy mechanics appear in other heavy games.
Network building rewards spatial planning. The two-era structure creates strategic phases where Canal Era builds establish positioning for higher-value Rail Era industries.
Who Should Play Brass: Birmingham
Experienced gamers seeking depth will find Brass: Birmingham exceptionally rewarding. The complexity rating of 3.87 places it firmly in heavy strategy territory, alongside games featured in lists of strategic board games for adults.
Groups comfortable with 90+ minute playtimes and multi-layered decisions will appreciate the strategic depth. Casual gamers should look elsewhere. For those seeking simpler entry, Brass: Lancashire offers a more streamlined experience.
FAQ
Is Brass: Birmingham good for beginners?
Brass: Birmingham presents a significant learning curve. New players typically need two or three games before grasping optimal strategies. Consider starting with lighter economic games or using the included introductory rules covering only the Canal Era.
How long does Brass: Birmingham take to play?
Experienced groups complete games in 60-90 minutes. New players should expect 2-3 hours initially. Setup adds approximately 10-15 minutes. Game length scales with player count, with two-player games running faster.
What’s the best player count for Brass: Birmingham?
Three players offers the best balance of interaction and game length. Two players provides tighter competition. Four players maximizes market competition but extends playtime. All counts work well with adjusted round structures.
What games are similar to Brass: Birmingham?
Brass: Lancashire shares the same core system with simpler rules. Age of Industry offers another Martin Wallace economic design. Concordia provides accessible network-building with economic elements.
Is Brass: Birmingham worth buying?
For strategy enthusiasts, Brass: Birmingham delivers exceptional value. The production quality, strategic depth, and replay value justify the premium price. Casual gamers should try before buying.
