Master Builder, the Game that Actually Involves Building!

Mar 28, 2011

Master Builder from Valley Games is back on store shelves after selling out its first print run. It is, as you might have guessed, a building game. You take on the role of a great master builder in the middle ages. You must hire workers, pay them, bid on contracts, build buildings, and get paid. The nice thing about this game is that it is 3-D. You actually build the buildings and the city walls as the game progresses. You can build up to 12 structures with the pieces included with the game. Very sweet. They are sturdy, full color buildings too. It is a family game for 2-4 players, and each game lasts about an hour. Designed by Wolfgang Kramer and Harmut Witt.

Here is the info on Master Builder from the Valley Games website. I recommend viewing their new video on the game, it is really well done and humorous.

Back by popular demand, we are now reprinting Master Builder after it sold out the first print run. We have enhanced the artwork from the first printing and cleared up any discrepancies in the rules.

You are a great master builder in the Middle Ages. You employ master craftsmen, foremen, tradesmen and apprentices. You bid on building contracts and with your workforce construct buildings. Upon completing each building you receive money so you can pay wages and possibly take on extra workers. Unforeseen events such as town fairs, fires and higher wages in other cities can make managing your projects very difficult. Also, not all workers are as committed to their jobs as others and some may just not show up for work simply because they were out late the evening before. All this could result in you having to deal with higher costs, late completions of your building projects or the need to dismiss workers.

In the course of the game beautiful buildings will be created and at the end a medieval city will stand in the middle of the table — complete with city walls, fortified towers, city gates, houses and a town hall.

Your aim is to become the greatest and most famous master builder of the Middle Ages. Of course, your opponents will have the same aim so a lively contest will develop for supremacy in the building trade. The winner will be the player who has the most money at the end of the game.

You can order Master Builder from Noble Knight Games for $44.95