# Algae Inc Rezension **Source:** https://brettspielteddy.de/algae-inc-rezension **Language:** English --- # Algae Inc – Review ![Spielschachtel-Cover von Algae Inc](https://brettspielteddy.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/algae-inc-rezension-cover.jpg) Written by Board game Teddy in Reviews Algae Inc. really surprised me. I was already very excited about it at SPIEL days because I had met the designer Julia Thiemann and her co-author Christoph Waage there, but I couldn't play the game there because the table was constantly occupied. The release was then postponed several times – but I can tell you: the anticipation was absolutely worth it. Rarely have I had such high expectations for a game, which were even exceeded in the end. Wertung 8,0 /10 Bei Spiele-OffensiveWerbung · Affiliate-Links ## Lohnt sich Algae Inc? Algae Inc bekommt von uns 8,0 von 10 Punkten. Das heißt bei uns: gut, es lohnt sich, das Spiel öfter zu spielen. Dafür spricht: Clever verzahntes Aktionswahl- und Puzzle-System. Dagegen spricht: Mit 60-120 Minuten kein Spiel für zwischendurch. Spieleranzahl: 1–4. ![Algae Inc – Szenenbild aus dem Brettspiel-Teddy-Video](https://brettspielteddy.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/webfetch-1786625160064-h3b2oa.jpg) ## Profile - **Players:** 1–4 - **Duration:** 60–120 minutes - **Mechanism:** Action Tree, Engine-Building - **Theme:** Algae Factory ## Your own algae factory: Each player board ticks differently In Algae Inc, each person runs their own small algae factory, where algae are processed into cosmetics, dishes, food, and other products. The special feature: Each player board is designed asymmetrically. Although you all have conveyor belts that move the algae from machine to machine, the arrangement of these belts differs – sometimes a belt runs upwards, sometimes crisscrossing the board. This makes each factory play noticeably differently, even if the basic rules remain the same. There are four different types of algae, but at the beginning, you are only allowed to produce one. Only in the course of the game do you unlock further fields to process additional types of algae – which in turn enables better and more valuable products. ## The action tree: Planning ahead is everything The heart of Algae Inc is a clever action selection system in the form of an action tree. Each action is only connected to two other actions on the next level. So, if you choose an action at the very bottom left, you automatically block yourself from accessing certain actions further up on the right. This forces you to think about which action you really need next and the one after that, right from your first move of the round. The action tree has five floors, meaning each round consists of five moves until you reach the top. And even there the journey is not over: at the end of each of the three action strands, different bonuses await you, but you only get them if your energy level is high enough. The energy bar is divided into three parts – in the red area there is bonus at all, in the middle you can choose one of two bonuses, and in the green area even both. This creates a real incentive to keep an eye on your own energy supply. ## Conveyor belts, workers, and a clever puzzle element Using one of the basic actions, you activate your machines and push the stored algae from assembly line to assembly line until they are finally produced. You can then deliver the finished products to various locations on the game board – each location requires a specific product value that you must assemble from your products. Additionally, you have three differently colored workers at your disposal, each capable of performing two different actions: one brings you additional algae, another allows you to remove or add tiles to your player board. This is precisely where the puzzle element comes into play: on your board, there are dark blue tiles representing machine improvements that you want to get rid of, and light blue tiles that you want to strategically place in their stead. In the end, the largest contiguous area of these light blue tiles counts for additional points – a wonderfully interlocking detail that adds another strategic layer to the game. ## Deliveries, Milestones, and the Path to More Income Besides pure production, much of Algae Inc revolves around delivering your finished goods. Each delivery location demands a certain value of goods, which you must assemble from your produced items – similar to adding up different item values until the required sum is reached. For each delivery, you not only receive direct rewards, but you also fulfill milestones: if you deliver to two differently colored regions or to cities with high value, you may place markers on your player board. These markers are more than just checkmarks on a list – they unlock additional income fields. The more markers you place during the game, the more income you automatically generate at the end of the round. Particularly cleverly designed: You must first unlock the left income fields before you can access the more valuable victory point fields on the right. This creates a clear order in which your factory must develop and prevents players from immediately focusing on the biggest sources of points right from the start. ## Who is Algae Inc worth it for? Algae Inc clearly targets avid gamers who appreciate complex, well-interconnected Eurogames with engine-building elements. Those who already enjoy games like Marco Polo, Praga Caput Regni, or similar action-selection Euros will immediately feel at home with Algae Inc. For casual gamers or purely family rounds, however, getting started is quite demanding – the combination of the action tree, energy management, conveyor belt puzzle, and milestone system needs to be internalized first. But those who engage with it will be rewarded with one of the most polished new Eurogames of the year. ## Background: A German author duo with a knack for interlocking Algae Inc comes from German designer Julia Thiemann and her co-author Christoph Waage and was released by the Belgian publisher Game Brewer, which has stood out in recent years with sophisticated, high-quality Euro games. The theme – processing algae into sustainable future products such as bioplastics or cosmetics – is unusually fresh and fits perfectly with the current trend towards games with a real-world background and a focus on sustainability. | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | --- | | Board game community on WhatsApp | | Get news, polls, and exclusive insights about board games directly on your smartphone. | | To the WhatsApp channel | | | ## Häufige Fragen (FAQ) zu Algae Inc ### Für wie viele Spieler ist Algae Inc geeignet? Algae Inc ist für 1–4 Spieler ausgelegt. ### Wie lange dauert eine Partie Algae Inc? Eine Partie Algae Inc dauert 60–120 Minuten. ### Welche Spielmechanismen nutzt Algae Inc? Algae Inc setzt auf Aktionsbaum, Engine-Building. ### Wie bewertet Brettspiel Teddy Algae Inc? Brettspiel Teddy bewertet Algae Inc mit 8,0/10 Punkten. ## My conclusion Algae Inc is one of the strongest new Euro games I've had on the Teddy table this year. The basic actions in themselves are pleasantly simple - activate a worker, push a conveyor belt, place a tile - but the interplay of all these elements is incredibly cleverly interwoven. The action tree provides pleasant contemplation without becoming sluggish, and the puzzle element with the light blue tiles adds an extra strategic twist to the game. With a playing time of 60 to 120 minutes, Algae Inc is definitely a game for the more planning-intensive game night, not for in between. But those who like to plan ahead, build engines, and optimize resources will find a well-rounded, thoughtful experience here. For me, clearly one of the highlights of the year and a firm candidate for my personal top 10. ### Pros & Cons #### Pro - Cleverly interlocking action selection and puzzle system - Asymmetrical player boards ensure variety - Unusual, fresh theme (Algae Economy) - Pleasantly green-heavy, without becoming sluggish #### Contra - With 60-120 minutes, not a game for in-between - High planning effort can overwhelm beginners *Advertisement:* Buy Algae Inc – if you order through this link, you support the channel at extra cost to you: Secure now at Spiele-Offensive.de ## Comments ### Leave a comment Cancel reply ## More posts - ### Terminus – Rezension 30.10.2026 - ### The Game Makers – Rezension 29.10.2026 - ### Dewan – Rezension 27.08.2026 - ### Skull Queen – Rezension 27.08.2026