# Neue Heimat

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2007
- **BGG Rating**: 7.3
- **BGG Rank**: #3374
- **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 45 min
- **Weight**: 2.64 / 5
- **Designers**: Klaus Zoch
- **Publishers**: Chili Spiele
- **Categories**: City Building, Economic
- **Mechanics**: Auction / Bidding

## Verdict
If you love strategic auctions and the thrill of shady deals, Neue Heimat offers a tense and rewarding experience.Well‑balanced biddingDecisive colour controlAttractive 3D componentsSteep learning curvePotential negative scoringRECOMMENDED

## Description
Neue Heimat is a tactical auction game that puts players in the shoes of real‑estate speculators in a newly developed city district. Two to five participants compete over three building rows. The floors are coloured cubes numbered 1 to 6; a colour only enters play when the first player buys a cube of that hue, and that colour then determines who controls the entire building. Each cube is worth its printed number in victory points, and stacked floors add their values together.

Turns consist of auctions: players spend 1‑million‑euro checks to win cubes, but they can also bid for tiles that shorten or lengthen the rows and for rooftops that finish houses. Additional permits let you alter the number of construction sites, and an optional “illegal cashbox” lets you trade a check for a guaranteed point at game end. The game ends as soon as two of the three rows are completed (or when all rooftops are exhausted). Buildings in the finished rows score positive points, while the third row, which never counts for scoring, yields negative points for anyone with constructions there.

Despite its simple look, the game demands sharp decisions: when to pay a premium for a high‑numbered floor, how to secure colour control, and whether to sacrifice cash for safe points. The 3D wooden cubes give a tactile charm, and the urban speculation theme creates a vibe of negotiation and risk. With a playtime of about 45 minutes and a light weight (2.6/5), Neue Heimat appeals to fans of strategic bidding and economic building games, though it may be a bit steep for newcomers still learning auction mechanics and colour ownership.

## FAQ
### How many players can join?
2 to 5 players.

### What is the typical playing time?
About 45 minutes.

### How complex is the game?
Light weight (2.6/5) but requires careful bidding and colour control.

### What are the main components?
Wooden numbered cubes, wooden rooftop pieces, permits, paper checks, and a board with three rows.

### Who is the game best suited for?
Fans of auctions, economic games, and players who enjoy tactical risk‑taking.

### Is there a negative scoring mechanic?
Yes, the third row never scores positively and gives negative points to anyone with constructions there.

### Can you play without the "illegal cashbox"?
Absolutely; the illegal cashbox is optional and can be ignored if you prefer a cleaner game.