Fromage

After 2 BGA plays - feels good, not great. It's enjoyable but not particularly interesting. There's variability with the structures changing from game to game, but it just feels like playing four simple games.

I like the temporal element in this game, but the area majorities aren't very interesting and really conflict with the theme in my opinion.

There is a clever idea here of placing workers and then getting them back on subsequent turns. But the 4 subregions (scoring areas) of the rotating board feel like individual, tactical, opportunities (a variety of area control games) that aren't that interesting by themselves and are also difficult to monitor and play well against opponents. You need to take what you can when you can. You need to get your cheese out there! Other than that, the idea of delayed workers is much better implemented in Tzolk'in which I would always prefer over this.

Played the BGA implementation, enjoyed it a lot.

[DY]

Fromage is an excellent entry in the worker placement genre. Players race to make cheese across four competing quadrants. Placement spots are divided between resources and score payouts, with more valuable spots costing more time before they return. This typical resource/action dance is made dynamic with simultaneous play, which further highlights the evaporating opportunities as the game progresses. Coupled with a smaller, parseable board, Fromage is a tight experience that still allows for clever combos and tactical play.

One solo play so far. I really like how intuitive the cost-benefit calculation is. The facing of the worker = cost and is commensurate with the benefit. Players are rewarded for careful planning since you need to plan for a certain worker to be available at a certain time so you can use said worker for a specific benefit in a specific zone. Well done!

That being said, it does feel a bit random. Since I'm primarily focused on one quarter at a time, my view tends to narrow quite a bit. Yes, I have to plan for the future, but first and foremost I need to deal with what's in front of me. You lose the overarching sense of player interaction and strategy in favor of a much more tactical, opportunistic enterprise.

On the plus side, play time is on the short side. Which works well. Also, the artwork and symbology are solid. The art loses a little bit in the pastel-ish color scheme (feels a bit drab), but it is cohesive and it works fine with the gameplay elements.

Overall, an enjoyable affair! I look forward to multiplayer!