Knarr

Only played it twice so far, but l know this is going to be one of my favs for 2024! Great looking game on the table as well.

Aww yeah

This has a similar feel to Splendor, but the double tableau building of both your Vikings as well as your boats makes some pretty interesting decisions of building up one or the other. Level 1 of this game is figuring out how to combo the back and forth of those two tableaus, and knowing when to pivot and destroy your entire Viking tableau to rush for win. Level 2 is timing things so you can pick up the Vikings you want, and leveraging bracelets well. Level 3 is snatching things before your opponents can. Quick, simple, yet with an interesting twist on tableau building that makes it stand out and makes the decision space larger than it has the right to be for such a compact game. Production quality is excellent. There's obviously the gorgeous artwork, but the cards are also linen finished, and they come in nice little boxes to store them in.

Knarr is a simple tableau builder where you race to be the first tribe to get 40 points through recruiting crew and trading. It is very light but makes a good filler game because it is so fast to play. It starts slowly but once you have gained enough reputation and are able to perform multiple trades you quick accumulate points every turn. Don't look for anything strategic here, but if are looking for a pleasing filler game with vikings then your search is over.

It's a solid game. It kinda forces you to move to one of two different strategies which is not bad but doesn't encourage exploration. Other than that, it's a great game.

Great quick engine builder that plays well at all player counts.

My wife and I have greatly enjoyed Knarr - it is a perfect light engine building game with a short play time that lends itself to engaging and fast play time during week nights. It is fun and rare to have a satisfying engine building game that is not too mentally exhausting to be able to fit in after a long work day. The game also has high production value, the cards, art, board, and pieces are all very high quality - giving it fantastic table pressence. Some of my favorite viking style art of any game I have played or seen. Would highly recommend!