Forged in Steel (2016) Board Game

Forged in Steel is a board game released in 2016, designed by Wade Broadhead and published by Knight Works, LLC. The game is set in the American West during the industrial revolution, where players take on the roles of entrepreneurs looking to build and expand their steel manufacturing empires.

Game Components of Forged in Steel

Cards: Over 100 era cards, each with historic black-and-white photos from Colorado, featuring Municipal Muscle (MM) values and unique events.

Board: Represents the city of Pueblo, CO, with five neighborhoods depicted as grids.

Structures: Players can build parks, civic buildings, hospitals, police stations, houses, mansions, factories, and commercial buildings.

Tokens: Used for tracking various aspects such as sector progress, victory points, and unrest levels.

Dice: Included in some versions, though not essential for gameplay.

How To Setup Forged in Steel

To set up the game, players start with a nearly blank board representing the city of Pueblo. Each player is dealt eight cards from the era deck corresponding to the current decade (1890, 1900, or 1910). Players discard one card and reserve two for future use, leaving them with four cards in hand. The game is divided into three eras, each representing a decade, and each era has its own deck of cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Play: Players use cards for either Municipal Muscle (MM) to build, buy, or seize structures, or to enact events listed on the cards.

Era Phases: Each era consists of multiple phases where players select and play cards simultaneously and secretly.

Sector Control: Players aim to control one of four sectors: mining, industry, city, or commercial.

Mayor Role: Players strive to become the Mayor to control the appointment of other players to offices.

Unrest Management: Players must manage social unrest based on the number of factories and commercial buildings built, which can lead to riots and intervention by the National Guard.

Victory Points: Players earn points by building structures, increasing industrial capacity, and through various events. The player with the most victory points at the end of the three eras wins.

Player Experience

Playing Forged in Steel is an immersive experience where players take on the roles of prominent families in a growing city. The game requires strategic planning and tactical decisions, as players jockey for position and influence in the city. Each card played offers unique opportunities to shape the city’s development, from moving houses to different neighborhoods to scoring immediate victory points. The dynamic nature of the game, with its changing landscapes and societal events, keeps players engaged and competitive.

Pros

Historical Depth: Incorporates historical events and developments from the early 1900s, such as the New Deal, Women’s Suffrage, and the Spanish Flu.

Strategic Complexity: Offers a rich blend of area control, resource management, and event-driven gameplay.

High Replayability: Over 100 unique era cards ensure each game is different.

Thematic Integration: The game’s mechanics and components are well-integrated with its historical and thematic context.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a steep learning curve due to its intricate mechanics and multiple phases.

Length: Games can take up to 90 minutes, which may be too long for some players.

Unrest Mechanic: Managing unrest can be challenging and may lead to significant setbacks if not handled carefully.

Personal Thoughts on Forged in Steel

Forged in Steel is ideal for players who enjoy complex strategy games with a strong thematic focus. It is particularly suited for those interested in historical settings and city-building mechanics. The game requires a commitment to learning its rules and strategies, but the reward is a deeply engaging and immersive gaming experience. For players looking for a game that combines area control, resource management, and historical depth, Forged in Steel is an excellent choice. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those who prefer quicker, more straightforward games.

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