BoardGame Verdict
84

Barrage is a strategic resource management game where players compete to build majestic dams and manage water flow to generate energy. It features tight worker placement mechanics with strong player interaction, where you must anticipate opponents' moves and can be severely punished for wrong decisions.

84

The Verdict

based on 23 reviews

Positive 0%
Mixed 0%
Innovative Construction Wheel mechanic offers unique resource management and timing challenges.
High player interaction, often described as 'mean' or 'brutal,' creates a dynamic and competitive environment.
Deep strategic gameplay rewards careful long-term planning and offers multiple paths to victory.
High replayability thanks to asymmetric player powers, unique company abilities, executive officers, and variable game setups.
Satisfying engine-building and resource management aspects as players construct infrastructure and generate power.
Steep learning curve and high complexity can be daunting for new players, requiring multiple plays to grasp optimal strategies.
Potential for analysis paralysis (AP) and long playtimes due to the depth of strategic options and interconnected decisions.
Initial editions suffered from component quality variance, including issues like warping player boards and misaligned construction wheels.
The highly interactive and confrontational nature of the gameplay may not appeal to all players.
100
Board Game Rundown, Tim and SpencerVideo

The reviewer highly praises Barrage, rating it a perfect score for its engaging gameplay, significant replayability through varied goals and asymmetric player powers, and high-quality components and artwork, noting it as a game they are currently obsessed with.

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95
The Opinionated Gamers, Larry LevyArticle

This review assesses Barrage, a worker placement game, focusing on its gameplay merits despite surrounding Kickstarter controversy. The reviewer finds its worker placement mechanism and construction cycle particularly refined and innovative, suggesting the game is worth investigating for prospective players.

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90
Polyhedron Collider, AnonymousArticle

Barrage is an "absolutely fantastic" and "top-notch" heavy engine-building game with brilliant gameplay, despite initial poor component quality. The reviewer notes these issues are being addressed, cementing its status as a Game of the Year contender.

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90
Drive Thru Games, Joel EddyVideo

The reviewer highly praises Barrage as a deep, strategic worker placement game with significant replay value, appreciating its engaging mechanics and tight player interaction across different player counts.

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90
Board of it, Board Of ItVideo

The video reviews Barrage, lauding it as a triumph of board game design. It highlights the game's brutal, strategic worker placement and tight resource management, concluding it's one of the greatest games released recently.

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90
Board Game QuestArticle

Barrage provides a plethora of interactive decisions that will feel different with each play.

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90
Frontline Gaming, SamArticle

Barrage is a compelling and challenging Eurogame, highly praised for its unique mechanics, strong player interaction, and deep strategic gameplay. Though it has a steep learning curve and potential for analysis paralysis, it's a rewarding experience for strategy enthusiasts.

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90
Cardboard Rhino, Cardboard RhinoVideo

The reviewer enthusiastically recommends Barrage, highlighting its strategic depth and intuitive design, making it a satisfying and meaty Euro game that offers a rewarding experience for players seeking deeper gameplay.

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90
Meeple Mountain, Andrew LynchArticle

The reviewer, initially wary of worker placement and resource management games, was completely won over by Barrage. They highlight its unique mechanics, particularly the Construction Wheel and the intense player interaction over water flow, finding it a brutal but deeply engaging and highly replayable strategy game.

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90
Punchboard, AdamArticle

The reviewer highly praises Barrage as an excellent, deep, and cutthroat Euro game featuring engaging water management and a unique 'Construction Wheel' mechanic. Despite its complexity and potential for player interaction to be 'mean', they found the physical production gorgeous and the strategic challenge immensely rewarding.

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90
No Pun Included, No Pun IncludedVideo

No Pun Included reviews Barrage, a deep and interactive worker placement game focused on hydroelectric dam building and water management. The game offers challenging, often confrontational gameplay that some players find highly rewarding, despite its demanding nature.

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85
3 Minute Board Games, J Carmichael and S RodgersVideo

This video offers a quick overview of Barrage, highlighting its complex hydro-power theme and the strategic challenge of managing water flow and contracts. It praises the construction wheel mechanism while cautioning about the game's harsh punishment for early errors.

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