Ora et Labora

In Ora et Labora, you take on the role of a medieval abbot, leading a monastery with the mission of expanding its lands and building a prosperous infrastructure. The main goal is to transform basic resources into prestigious items, such as books, ceramics, ornaments, and relics, to accumulate the most victory points by the end of the game. This is the fifth major game by the renowned Uwe Rosenberg, and it brings elements reminiscent of the author's other successes, like Le Havre, especially in how resources can be upgraded.

An interesting twist here is the numbered rondel system, which controls resource availability. Each round, the rondel rotates, simultaneously adjusting the quantity of all available resources, which requires careful planning. Each player has a personal game board where they construct their buildings. New constructions emerge throughout the game, and you need to gather the right materials to erect them, always paying attention to terrain restrictions. Some spaces start with obstacles like trees or moors, which need to be cleared for development but, when removed, provide valuable resources.

Your three workers are key to activating actions in buildings. They remain in place until all three are allocated. You can use your own buildings for free, but to access another player's building, you must pay them an entry fee, and they will then use one of their own workers to perform the action for you. This player interaction is a highlight. Ora et Labora also offers two game variants, focused on the regions of France and Ireland, adding even more depth and replayability.