Place a tile, collect points, achieve goals: The basic gameplay of “Rebirth” is easy to learn—but from there, it gets challenging: Using three types of tiles—food farms, energy farms, and settlements—we populate a map of either Ireland or Scotland. Our goal is to develop castles and ports, build cathedrals, expand settlements, and complete quests. Each tile earns points, sometimes more, sometimes less. Players who plan wisely and can connect large areas quickly surge ahead on the scoring track. But completing mission cards can also lead to victory. The two game boards also show how the gameplay experience and the level of complexity of the core concept can be adjusted with just a few tweaks.
Jury statement:
The simple core principle of “Rebirth” opens up a multitude of tactical possibilities. The ruleset is elegant and forces players to focus on the essentials. The direct competition on the shared board leads to a lively and interactive experience where constructive planning takes center stage.
