QE - Q.E., BoardGameTables.com, 2019 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
QE - How the gods bid. - Credit: The Innocent
QE - Q.E., BoardGameTables.com, 2019 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
QE - Whether conservative or outlandish, uncovering total bids is always a hoot. - Credit: The Innocent
QE - How beggars bid. - Credit: The Innocent
QE - German edition, back cover - Credit: Brettspielhelden DD
QE - Fact: markers make a game seem more frivolous. - Credit: The Innocent
  1. QE - Q.E., BoardGameTables.com, 2019 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
  2. QE - How the gods bid. - Credit: The Innocent
  3. QE - Q.E., BoardGameTables.com, 2019 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin
  4. QE - Whether conservative or outlandish, uncovering total bids is always a hoot. - Credit: The Innocent
  5. QE - How beggars bid. - Credit: The Innocent
  6. QE - German edition, back cover - Credit: Brettspielhelden DD
  7. QE - Fact: markers make a game seem more frivolous. - Credit: The Innocent

QE Review

QE dazzles with its no-limits bidding and rich strategy. Perfect for friends who love a good bluff and calculating risks. Just don't get too carried away with those bids, or you're out of the running!
  • Unique Bidding System
  • Artwork and Component Quality
  • Gameplay Balance and Strategy
  • Player Interaction and Engagement
4.5/5Overall Score

QE blends limitless bidding, strategic depth, and interactive gameplay, creating a thrilling economic board game experience.

Specs
  • Number of Players: 3-5
  • Playing Time: 45-60 minutes
  • Recommended Player Age: 10+
  • Game Type: Auction/Bidding
  • Mechanics: Blind Bidding, Set Collection
  • Theme: Economic
  • Designer: Gavin Birnbaum
Pros
  • Limitless bidding system
  • Strategic depth
  • High player interaction
  • Engaging economic theme
Cons
  • Risk of overspending
  • Can be complex
  • Depends on group dynamics
Disclaimer: Clicking our links may result in us earning enough for a new pair of dice, but not enough to quit our day jobs as amateur board game hustlers.

Overview

Ready to toss your hat into the ring of high-stakes auction games? Then you’re in for a treat with our review of QE, where your wallet knows no bounds, but your strategy will be put to the ultimate test. Get ready to bid like there’s no tomorrow, strategize with the cunning of an economist, and engage in a battle of wits that will leave you coming back for more. Let’s see if this game can balance the checkbook of fun with its unique gameplay mechanics.

How It Plays

Setting Up

To set up QE, give each player a dry-erase marker and an auction board. Place the central market board in the middle of the table, and shuffle the commodity tiles, placing them face down. Each player represents a country trying to win bids for companies without spending too much.

Gameplay

Players take turns being the auctioneer, drawing a tile from the commodity stack and revealing it for auction. Players then secretly write down their bids on their boards. The auctioneer collects the bids, announces the highest bid without revealing the bidder, and awards the tile accordingly. The twist? You can bid any amount of money, even into the quintillions! But be careful, as the total spending will count against you in the end.

Winning the Game

The game ends after a set number of rounds. Players reveal their total spending. The one who has spent the most is immediately out of the running for winning. Among the rest, the player with the most valuable collection of companies wins. It’s a delicate balance between spending big to win bids and saving enough to not be disqualified for overspending.

Want to know more? Read our extensive strategy guide for QE.

How QE’s Unique Bidding Mechanic Redefines Auction Games

QE stands out in the board game world, thanks to its unique bidding system. It’s not every day you play a game where the sky’s the limit on how much you can bid. That’s right, in QE, you can write down any number to bid on a country’s tile. Sounds crazy, right? But here’s the kicker: the player who spends the most money by the end of the game cannot win. This twist keeps everyone on their toes, making you second-guess every bid you make. You find yourself wondering, “How high can I go without going too high?” It’s a balancing act that adds a layer of strategy and suspense you won’t find in many other games. As you try to outwit your friends with clever bids, you can’t help but admire how QE turns the whole concept of auctioning on its head.

Next, let’s shift gears and take a closer look at the stunning visuals that bring QE to life.

QE - How the gods bid. - Credit: The Innocent

QE’s Dazzling Art and Component Quality

When you first open QE, it’s like stepping into an art gallery where economics meets aesthetics. The game’s components are top-notch, with each piece feeling durable and designed to last through countless gaming sessions. The artwork, oh, the artwork! It boasts vibrant colors and whimsical designs that bring the world’s economic powerhouses to life on your table. From the sleek design of the bidding boards to the playful currency notes, every aspect of QE’s presentation screams quality. The game’s theme of global economic dominance is cleverly mirrored in its visual style, making it not just a game but a conversation piece.

But it’s not all about looks; the components play a huge role in the game’s mechanics, making the bidding process tactile and engaging. The wooden auction markers and money tokens add a pleasant physicality to the gameplay, enriching the overall experience. Trust me, playing QE feels as good as it looks.

Next up, let’s see how this beautiful game balances its gameplay and strategy, keeping players hooked from start to finish.

QE - Q.E., BoardGameTables.com, 2019 — front cover (image provided by the publisher) - Credit: W Eric Martin

Exploring the Strategy and Balance in QE

When it comes to QE, the gameplay balance strikes a perfect chord between strategy and suspense. Players are constantly weighing their decisions, as bidding too high could mean a disqualification from victory, while bidding too low might leave you in the dust. The beauty of QE lies in its ability to scale seamlessly with different player counts, maintaining tight competition and strategic depth no matter the group size. Each game session unveils new tactics and approaches, as players adapt based on previous outcomes and opponents’ strategies. This dynamic keeps the game fresh and engaging, ensuring that no two playthroughs feel the same. The strategy depth in QE is further enriched by the variety of industries to invest in, each with its own risks and rewards.

With a perfect blend of strategy and balance, QE sets the stage for our next exciting topic: the vital role of player interaction and engagement.

QE - Whether conservative or outlandish, uncovering total bids is always a hoot. - Credit: The Innocent

Boost Your Game Nights with QE’s Player Interaction

When it comes to board games, the element that often makes or breaks the fun is how much it gets players talking, plotting, and laughing together. Well, folks, let me tell you, QE hits the nail on the head in this department. The bidding mechanic isn’t just unique; it’s a brilliant catalyst for player interaction. Imagine the scene: you’ve just bid an absurd amount of money, everyone’s eyes are on you, and you can cut the tension with a knife. Then someone goes even higher! This game turns friends into frenemies and frenemies into allies at the drop of a hat.

But it’s not all about the bids. The guessing game of figuring out who’s spent the most adds another layer of engagement. You’re not just playing the game; you’re playing the players. And that, my friends, is where QE shines as a beacon of player engagement.

So, do I recommend it? Absolutely! QE promises and delivers a thrilling ride of economics, intrigue, and strategic alliances. It’s a must-have for any board game enthusiast looking for that next level of interaction and fun.

QE - How beggars bid. - Credit: The Innocent

Conclusion

Wrapping up this review, QE stands out as a brilliantly executed board game that keeps every player on their toes from start to finish. With its limitless bidding mechanics, eye-catching artwork, and balanced gameplay, it’s a game that promotes strategic thinking and player interaction in a unique and engaging manner. The stress of potentially being the highest spender adds a delicious twist, making the game not just about who can spend the most, but who can spend wisely. Although luck plays a minimal role, it’s the strategy that will crown you the winner, or leave you in the dust wondering where your billions went. QE is a must-try for those who love a deep economic game that’s as much about psychology as it is about the numbers. Ready your wallets and your wits; QE is an unforgettable ride into economic strategy that you don’t want to miss.

4.5/5Overall Score
Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.