Brass

Brass takes place during the Industrial Age where, as barons of industry, the players jobs is to build factories and mines and canals and ship goods. Early in the game, the method of shipping is narrowboats as the most efficient way to get around is by canal. But at some point during the game, the steam train arrives and there is a sea-change as canals very quickly become redundant as new railways spring up establishing faster routes.

The board – a map of the north of England – starts out empty but becomes more crowded as the game goes on, and options become fewer. It’s impossible to give a brief overview of the rules here – there are several choices on each turn – but the game is very thematic: it really feels like an accurate representation of the time, from the aims of each player to the rather prosaic looking game pieces.

Any game has a first-play “bump” to get over before everybody understands the rules and with Brass this is evident, as a long rule-book and multiple game chits present a somewhat daunting initial outing. But if you like a challenge, stick with Brass – it really rewards persistence, and feels resonant of the age it represents.

Since writing this, two new versions of Brass have been released – Brass Lancashire is based on the original game, and Brass Birmingham is a little different.