Luthier
- Alan How
- 27 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Luthier is the follow-up game to Distilled, from Paverson Games. It's designed by Dave Beck and Abe Burson. The game setting is the golden age of classical music in Western Europe, and the game recreates the time when musical instruments were made by luthiers. Such was the quality of their creations that they inspired patrons to help them, and then the instruments could be used in performances and added to an orchestra.
The game ideas link these themes together and it does so in a way that resonates with the game play. Each player has initially three worker discs, with numbers 1,3 and 5 as their relative strengths. These are played one at a time face down so the strength of each piece is unclear to other players. Apprentices can be hired to add 1 point, and when all the pieces are played each area is resolved. The sequence of each area’s resolution is determined by the players, who each have a decision to make (in turn order), which spices up the thinking and consideration, especially later in the game.
Players can add patrons, repair instruments or obtain an instrument to rough then finish; with each of these options requiring resources, cash and careful planning. Instruments can be played in performances and many of these actions generate more resources and victory points.
What I particularly like is the planning. With limited actions (3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 5 in the six rounds) the choices of where to focus your plans is an interesting aspect of the game. Guiding you are your personal and collective goals, as well as filling up the orchestra with the outcomes of your repairs, performances and, most importantly, your creative efforts in instruments.
Helping you along the way are a variety of choices. The first are the patrons. These give you small but helpful resources to ease your workload but they each have specific demands which you must accomplish or lose their patronage. You can generate inspiration which helps with your actions, but perhaps the most clever rule in the game is the ability to trade with the market once per round to acquire sought after resources.
Tho' the game takes 1-4 players, three players is for me the sweet spot as the player interaction is just right for my tastes. Playing the game solitaire is a good way of trying out the myriad of changes that can arise in player set up and targets.
The game’s theme resonates throughout the gameplay. You feel the impact of the patrons' generosity and impatience; choosing the right instrument to repair, create or perform can greatly aid your tasks, and you do feel the importance of being a luthier at the centre of these decisions.
I thought that Distilled was a very good game but Luthier outstrips it in every way. The artwork of Vincent Dutrait is extremely attractive and the overall presentation is excellent. It’s among the best of 2025 for me.
(Review by Alan How)
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