German Game Authors Revisited #26 - Thomas Fackler

By Joe Huber
June 2, 2006

Foreword:
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This is the twenty-sixth in a series of articles I have written about “German Game” authors.  I wrote them for the fun of it; I claim no particular expertise on board games, nor am I a collector of board games.  I just happen to play them and occasionally write about the experience.  I would welcome any constructive feedback.

Disclaimer:
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This article represents my own opinions only.  Some opinions are based on only a single play; some of the information presented is based on nothing more than hearsay.  I will always try to note such instances, but I would always recommend playing a game before buying it (or deciding not to buy it, for that matter).

Copyright 2006, Joseph M. Huber
Updated June 2nd, 2006.

Author:
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Thomas Fackler

Games Covered:
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Das Prestel Architekturspiel (Prestel)
Das Prestel Nasen Spiel (Prestel)
Das Prestel Säulenspiel (Prestel)
Die Mauer (Fackler - Zoch)
Gülle-Gülle (DLV)
Troia (Chrysler-Diamler)

Thomas Fackler has designed and self-published some of the most beautiful games ever produced.  Abtei der wandernden Bücher, which was inspired by The Name of the Rose (as was Mystery of the Abbey), is a simply gorgeous game, hand produced, and costing roughly as much as a used car.  Thankfully, Fackler has been bringing his games to a few select outside publishers, allowing the general public access to his simple but fascinating designs.

Die Mauer was the most affordable of the games Fackler self-published, running only a few hundred Deutsche Marks.  Having played the original - and having fallen in love with the wonderful metal pieces - I found myself disappointed by the Zoch edition.  Not that there’s anything wrong with the Zoch edition - the game is light, but enjoyable, and different enough to be worth the occasional play.  But without the nicer pieces, the game just wasn’t a keeper for me.  I’m still tempted to try to track down the original edition, though I’m not sure I will ever be able to justify the price.

Troia was Fackler’s first game produced from the start at an affordable price, having been commisioned by Chrysler-Diamler to publicize their support for archeological digs at Troy.  It’s not a well liked game at al - but it’s also a second-tier favorite of mine.  The game manages to carry of the theme of excavation wonderfully - players carefully select pieces to dig - and offers player enough choices of timing to allow for some reasonable amount of strategy.  Until the release of Jenseits von Theben, Troia stood out as my favorite game on the theme of archeology; as much as I enjoy Jenseits, I’m still happy to play Troia once or twice a year.

Prestel is an art and art supply company, who had a small line of very simply art-themed games available until recently.  It’s a natural fit for Fackler, and he’s produced a number of interesting games for the company.  Architekturspiel is an interesting variant upon memory games.  There are five stacks of pieces, each comprising half or one third of a building with famous architecture.  Players rush to go through a stack, picking out a piece of one of the buildings currently on display.  The player who choses first will get to select a stack first the next turn - but also must play a piece first, potentially allowing another player the chance to complete a building for a bonus point.  While memory is a clear element of the game, it’s not the only game element; there some room for strategy in choosing pieces, and selecting which piece to play.  Nasen Spiel is a domino variant - and not a bad one - using just the noses from a number of famous portraits.  We found some noses difficult to differentiate, but the game’s not bad at all.  Säulenspiel includes three simple games - one solitaire, one for two players, and one for three or four - using a deck of column pieces.  I’ve only played the 3/4 player game, which is a simple timing game that works rather well - the ability to play on other player’s space to speed the game along helps keep things moving along.

I discovered the game Gülle-Gülle quite accidentally; it was on a sale list, and it was only Fackler’s nam that caught my eye.  Like Das Prestel Säulenspiel, it’s a timing game - players auction cows and fields, and then plow their fields, fertilize, and grow corn - but are penalized at the end of the game for going overboard with fertilizer.  The game does work, but is just a bit too simple to really appeal.

Not everyone will enjoy Fackler’s games - if you don’t enjoy lighter games, you can safely avoid Fackler’s game.  However, if you do enjoy lighter games, Fackler’s are different from the usual fare, and worth trying to see if they entertain.  I would particularly recommend Troia and Das Prestel Architekturspiel.  Das Prestel Säulenspiel is also worth a play, as is Die Mauer - I suspect it would have kept my interest better if I hadn’t been spoiled by playing the original version.

Fackler games I own, and always expect to: Troia, Das Prestel Architekturspiel (New York edition).

Other Fackler games I own: Das Prestel Säulenspiel.

Other Fackler games I might play: Die Mauer.

Fackler game I’d be willing to write a five page review of if I received a review copy of: Abtei der wandernden Bücher

Notes:
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This article may be reproduced in whole either mechanically or electronically provided the copyright notice is included and I am notified of the use before publication.

© 2006 Rick Thornquist

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