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Gangster (1985) Board Game

ByMichail

Gangster is a classic board game that was released in in 1985. It is a game of strategy and negotiation set in the world of organized crime. The game is designed for 2-6 players and takes about 60-120 minutes to play. The designers of the game are Tony Berglund and L. Hägglöf, with artwork by Äventyrsspel.

Game Components of Gangster

  • Cards:** Two-color linen textured movement cards, casino cards for special district scores, and scoring cards with simple black and white artwork.
  • Wooden Bits:** Each player gets 20 wooden cubes, 1 wooden car, and 1 scoring disc painted in player-specific colors.
  • Car Upgrade Markers:** 30 small cardboard squares showing car improvements.
  • Player Information Cards:** 3 cards reminding players about car upgrades.
  • Doubler Tokens:** 8 tokens placed in districts to double scores.
  • District Tiles:** Randomly placed tiles with limited spaces for gangsters.

    How To Setup Gangster

    To set up *Gangster*, the board is laid out and ten random district tiles are placed in the ten districts. Three random car upgrades are placed in the Gold Coast area. Each player receives a player mat, gangsters, a car, and a scoring marker of their color. They place a random car upgrade in their car and nine gangsters. The car and one gangster are randomly placed in one district, and another gangster in another district, leaving seven gangsters for the first round. A doubler marker is randomly placed on one of the ten districts to start the game.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Movement:** Players move their cars by expending numbered movement cards, requiring exact movement without revisiting districts.
  • Loading and Unloading Gangsters:** Players can load one gangster into their car or unload them onto district tiles.
  • Car Upgrades:** Upgrading cars in the Gold Coast area provides special powers like extra trunk space, enhanced movement, or the ability to bump other cars.
  • Scoring:** The game ends each round when eight districts have doubler markers. Scoring is based on majorities in each district, with the latest piece placed breaking ties.
  • Game Objective:** The objective is to control the best positions in the most districts over three rounds of play.

    Player Experience

    Playing *Gangster* involves a mix of strategic car movement, tactical gangster placement, and managing car upgrades to gain advantages. The game requires a balance between expanding your influence in various districts and disrupting your opponents’ plans. The thematic elements, such as dumping gangsters in the lake or using a Tommy gun to load an enemy gangster into your trunk, add a touch of humor and flair to the gameplay.

    Pros

  • Thematic Engagement:** The game’s Prohibition-era theme is well-integrated into the mechanics.
  • Strategic Depth:** Players need to balance movement, gangster placement, and car upgrades.
  • Interactive Elements:** The ability to disrupt opponents and manage gangsters in the trunk adds a layer of interaction.

    Cons

  • Complexity:** The game has several rules and components to manage, which can be overwhelming for new players.
  • Luck Factor:** Random placement of district tiles and car upgrades can introduce an element of luck.

    Personal Thoughts on Gangster

    *Gangster* is a game that will appeal to fans of Ameritrash games and those who enjoy strategic area control with a touch of theme and humor. It is best suited for players who can handle a moderate level of complexity and enjoy the negotiating and disrupting aspects of the game. While it may not be the best fit for casual or new board game players, it offers a unique and engaging experience for those looking for a challenging and thematic game.

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    • 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

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