Shipyard (2nd Ed.) (EN)

Shipyard (2nd Ed.) is a deep industrial strategy board game set during the rapid expansion of 19th century naval commerce and military development. Players take control of their own shipbuilding company, competing to construct the most advanced vessels while impressing powerful corporations and government evaluation committees.

In Shipyard, players gradually improve their production capabilities by hiring employees, acquiring specialized equipment, and assembling ships from multiple sections. Every vessel is built using cards representing bows, sterns, and several middle sections that can hold engines, cabins, weapons, safety systems, and other upgrades. Each construction decision directly impacts the ship’s final performance during testing.

At the heart of the game lies an elegant action-selection system built around a dynamic rondel mechanism. Players choose Action Cards from a shared track that constantly advances around the board. Timing becomes critical: waiting too long may allow opponents to claim key actions first, while acting too early can disrupt your long-term production plans.

Once completed, ships are launched into canal test runs where their speed, crew, equipment, safety, and government contracts are carefully evaluated for points. Players must constantly balance specialization with versatility in order to maximize scoring opportunities throughout the game.

This second edition modernizes the original classic with upgraded presentation, streamlined ergonomics, and several rule refinements that significantly improve gameplay flow. Despite its strategic depth, Shipyard remains remarkably smooth thanks to its clear structure and consistently meaningful decisions.

You will likely enjoy Shipyard if you appreciate heavy eurogames focused on optimization, economic engines, and long-term planning. Fans of industrial development games and interconnected strategic systems will find an especially rewarding experience here.

Shipyard was designed by Vladimír Suchý, well known for acclaimed modern eurogames such as Underwater Cities, Pulsar 2849, and Messina 1347. His design philosophy often combines elegant systems with deeply interconnected mechanics, and Shipyard remains one of the strongest examples of that approach.

Artwork by Michal Řezníček and Adela Stopka gives the game a polished industrial identity inspired by major European shipyards of the 19th century. This new edition from Delicious Games also greatly improves readability and component quality compared to the original release.

Number of players: 1 to 4
Playing time: 40 to 120 minutes
Age: 12+