| | | | | | |

Free Market: NYC (2020) Board Game

ByMichail

Free Market: NYC is a board game released in 2020, designed by Izik Nevo and featuring artwork by Unique Board Games LTD (UBG). The game falls into the categories of economic, political, and territory building, and incorporates various gameplay mechanisms such as action queue, area majority/influence, auction/bidding, commodity speculation, and dice rolling.

Game Components of Free Market: NYC

  • Players:** 2-5
  • Age:** 12+
  • Playing Time:** 90-180 minutes
  • Components:** Individual player screens, meeples, coins, large player standees, game board, rulebook in 6 languages
  • Add-ons:** Available in a bundle with 2 add-ons

    How To Setup Free Market: NYC

    To set up the game, each player receives an individual player screen, meeples, coins, and a large player standee. The game board is placed in the middle, and the necessary components for each round are prepared. The setup involves distributing initial resources and setting up the market demand and base costs for the goods.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Mechanics:** Worker placement, resource management, bidding
  • Game Objective:** The goal is to gain goods and sell them to accumulate the most points by the end of the game.
  • Gameplay Stages:**
    – Round setup stages
    – Bidding stage
    – Various player actions (placing workers, blocking other players, etc.)

  • End Game:** The game ends after the final round, and players sell all their assets to calculate final points.

    Player Experience

    **Free Market: NYC** offers a blend of economic and business principles with a fun, social experience. Players must make strategic decisions throughout the game, including calculating wholesale prices and participating in bidding. The game is suitable for those interested in Euro-style games, although it may be more challenging to learn than games like Monopoly or Risk.

    Pros

  • Educational Value:** Teaches economic and business principles in a fun way.
  • Strategic Depth:** Offers complex decision-making and worker placement mechanics.
  • Social Aspect:** Encourages interaction and competitive play.
  • Humor:** Includes humorous and ironic elements.

    Cons

  • Complexity:** Can be harder to learn for new players.
  • Artwork Issues:** Some players have criticized the artwork for perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
  • Rulebook Clarity:** The rulebook has been described as sometimes too detailed on rare events and lacking on basic steps.
  • Component Quality:** The game board art is noisy and difficult to read, and the large player standees are seen as unnecessary clutter.

    Personal Thoughts on Free Market: NYC

    **Free Market: NYC** is ideal for families or groups interested in learning about economic principles while having fun. It is particularly recommended for middle school age children and above who want to understand business and commerce in a engaging manner. However, it may not be the best choice for those seeking a heavily themed game or those who are sensitive to certain types of artwork. Overall, it provides a unique blend of strategy and humor, making it a great addition to any board game collection.

    We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more. 

    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *