"Funkenschlag": a board game for strategists under power

Imagine you're sitting at the head of a long conference table. The tension in the air is almost palpable. Mountains of coal and oil are piled up on one side, while modern wind turbines shine on the other. Your goal is clear: the cities must be supplied with energy - before your competitors claim the best resources and the cheapest connections for themselves.

The competition begins, and every decision, every action, every resource could mean the difference between a thriving grid and your financial ruin.

This is what a game of "Funkenschlag" feels like. This board game for two to six people aged 14 and over requires not only strategic thinking and the right planning, but also a good dose of calculation and negotiating skills. It is a game that perfectly balances the fine line between economic efficiency and interactive excitement over the course of two hours.

The board game group of the Brettspielverein Zofingen tested "Funkenschlag" for us and rated it in various categories:

Game idea and originality

The basic idea of Funkenschlag is extremely varied. The aim is to utilise different energy sources to supply cities with electricity as efficiently as possible. As in reality, resource prices are dependent on supply and demand, which brings an exciting dynamic into play. An additional suggestion from the club was the idea of climate agreements or similar events that could, for example, ban coal or make it more expensive in order to create even more variety. Overall, the concept is original, but still remains within a realistic framework.

Game material and quality

The game material of Funkenschlag is functional, but not without flaws. In particular, the banknotes, which stick together easily, have been criticised. Otherwise, the components such as the power stations and resources are solid and fulfil their purpose, even if they do not stand out visually.

Rules and comprehensibility

The rules of Funkenschlag are easy to understand. Although there are some mechanics that take a little time to fully understand, with a little familiarisation most players will get to grips with them. At first, you might be a little overwhelmed by the complexity of the various phases, but this will subside over time.

Fun and commitment

Funkenschlag involves a lot of calculation work, which slows down the game somewhat. However, anyone who enjoys working out the best strategy from a multitude of options will get their money's worth here. The excitement comes from the fact that there is never just one optimal path, but many options that need to be carefully weighed up.

Interaction between the players

This is where Funkenschlag really shines. The interaction between the players is intense, especially in the auction phase, where you can influence your opponents with skilful bidding and mind games. There is also friction when placing houses on the map, as paths can be blocked at an early stage. Strategic planning and assessing your opponents are key components of the game.

Replay value

Even after several games, Funkenschlag is still great fun. The different maps and the dynamic resource situation ensure that every game is different. Although you eventually master the basic strategy well, there is still enough variability to provide many hours of entertainment.