Beep Beep! I'm a motorist! Matthias Cramer's Kraftwagen from Spielworxx

The history of the automobile is a popular theme for board games. This month, Spielworxx is proud to release famed designer Matthias Cramer (Lancaster, Helvetia, Rococo)'s take on the concept with Kraftwagen. The rulebook introduction sets the mood nicely

By the year 1928, Germany possessed a dense road network where combustion engines had triumphed over electric or steam engines and where cars were produced via assembly lines.  Manufacturers began producing more affordable vehicles for the broader population.

Each player begins at the helm of a fledgling car manufacturer. By advancing the technology and proving their designs, each player hopes to come out on top as the demand for new and improved automobiles grows. Time will have to be balanced between enhancing a car's engine, body and earning prestige for your company. Cars must be released to market to satisfy buyers, but designs can also be proven on the race track by entering your prototype into the fledgling Grand Prix. Research in the game involves not only improving your technology and increasing efficiency, but also acquiring soon-to-be-famous automotive engineers such as Ferdinand Porshe, Rudolf Diesel and Carl Benz. Matthias Cramer has a proven track record creating interesting games, so Kraftwagen definitely deserves some attention. A quick look over the rulebook shows an action selection mechanism very similar to Cramer's 2010 game Glen More…getting ahead of the pack ensures you can pick the opportunties you want while the players in back take turns until they catch up. The game is for the typical 2-4 players ages 10 and up. And playing time is a reasonable 75 minutes. If Cramer's other games have captured your interest, keep an eye on Kraftwagen.