Blood Feud in New York (2004) Board Game

Blood Feud in New York is a board game released in 2004, designed by Eagle-Gryphon Games and Rebel Forge. It falls under the categories of Economic, Fighting, Mafia, Miniatures, Negotiation, and Territory Building. The game is designed for 2 to 6 players, with a recommended age of 12 and up. Players will take on the roles of Mafia bosses in New York City, competing for control over territories and resources.

Game Components of Blood Feud in New York

Game Board: A large, detailed map of New York City, including the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn, and other areas such as parks, water spaces, and airports.

Miniatures: Over 300 highly detailed plastic figures, including thugs, goons, hitmen, limousines, speedboats, and helicopters with spinning rotors.

Control Tokens: Used to mark area control.

Neutral Units: Copper thugs, silver henchmen, gold hitmen, corrupt precincts, illicit activities, and penthouse palaces.

Vehicle Markers: For limos, speedboats, and helicopters.

Rulebook: Detailed rules with tables for combat and clear diagrams.

How To Setup Blood Feud in New York

To set up the game, each player selects a color and places their mob boss and five family members in specified starting locations on the board. Players receive thirty control tokens and some neutral units to place in their starting district. The game includes six starting locations, and the setup varies based on the number of players. Neutral units such as thugs, henchmen, and vehicles are placed near the board, ready to be hired or captured during the game. Each player also receives a reference card to guide their actions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Control: Players move around the city to attack and take control of boroughs to earn income and hire more gangsters.

Combat: Combat is resolved using tables and involves rolling dice; hitmen have a special attack that causes immediate casualties.

Police Protection: Players can buy police protection to move safely around the city.

Family Member Placement: Placing family members in different boroughs earns income bonuses but makes them vulnerable to attack; congregating them in one borough keeps them safe but yields no income bonuses.

Negotiation and Betrayal: Players can negotiate trades, bribe, threaten, or conspire against each other, with no obligation to follow agreements.

Game Objective: The game ends when one player reaches an income of $6,000 or when all other players are eliminated. The player who assassinated another player’s boss gains control over their units, money, and family members.

Player Experience

Playing **Blood Feud in New York** combines strategy, luck, and social interaction. The game feels like a mashup of classic strategy games like Axis and Allies but with a mob boss setting, making it both fun and thematic. The abundance of detailed miniatures and vehicles adds a significant “toy factor” to the game, enhancing the overall experience. However, the game includes player elimination and the potential for ganging up on the leader, which may not appeal to all players.

Pros

Highly Thematic: The game deeply immerses players in the world of mafia empires in New York City.

Detailed Miniatures: The game includes a vast array of highly detailed plastic figures and vehicles, adding to the game’s visual appeal.

Strategic Depth: Combines area control, combat, and negotiation mechanics, requiring both luck and skillful maneuvering.

Engaging Gameplay: The game can be finished in about two hours, making it a manageable and enjoyable session.

Cons

Player Elimination: Some players may find the elimination factor less appealing.

Complex Setup: The setup can be complex due to the many components and rules.

Potential for Ganging Up: The leader can be targeted by other players, which might not be enjoyable for everyone.

Personal Thoughts on Blood Feud in New York

**Blood Feud in New York** is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a strong thematic element and are comfortable with player elimination and negotiation. If you’re looking for a game that lets you run a crime empire, interact socially, and enjoy a plethora of miniatures, this game is a great fit. However, it may not be the best choice for those who prefer cooperative games or are averse to the potential for being ganged up on by other players.

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