Neue Heimat

About this board game

Neue Heimat is a tactical bidding game for 2–5 players, played in about 45 minutes. Players compete to build houses across three building rows, aiming to create the highest-scoring arrangement while managing limited funds.

In each round, coloured cubes numbered from 1 to 6 are offered through auction. These cubes represent the levels of the houses. The first cube of a new colour that you purchase establishes that colour as yours for the rest of the game and affects final scoring.

Players also bid for additional pieces that can shorten or lengthen lanes and rooftops. These decisions help determine how houses are completed and add another layer of tactical planning to every auction. Payment is made with cheques, each worth 1 million euros.

• Auctions for coloured, numbered building levels
• Colour ownership that remains fixed through final scoring
• Pieces that alter the length of lanes and rooftops
• An optional “illegal cashbox” that also counts during final scoring

The game ends when two rows have been completed. Houses in those two rows score positive points based on the numbers on their levels and rooftops, while houses in the third row score negative points. Choosing where to build—and which row may remain unfinished—can therefore be crucial.

With its approachable building theme, Neue Heimat offers a tough and unforgiving contest beneath the surface. It was published by Chili-Games, an extra mini-publisher established by Klaus Zoch and friends for games that did not fit the more family-focused Zoch-Verlag program.