Nucleum
2023 · 1-4 Players · ~60-150 min · Competitive
Nucleum combines network building with energy management in a heavy euro set during the industrial revolution's transition to nuclear power, and the interlocking systems create satisfying chain reactions when your engine clicks. Luciani and Turczi deliver a design where every action feeds into multiple systems, and the tile-based action selection provides a unique twist on worker placement. The complexity is front-loaded and can overwhelm first-time players, and the theme, while mechanically well-integrated, doesn't generate the atmosphere that the industrial setting promises.