New York 1901 (2015) Board Game

New York 1901 is a city building board game designed by Chénier La Salle and released by Blue Orange Games in in 2015. Set in the bustling city of New York at the turn of the 20th century, players take on the role of real estate developers competing to build skyscrapers and landmarks to earn points and become the most successful builder in the city.

Game Components of New York 1901

Game Board: A beautifully drawn map of lower Manhattan divided into a grid of light and dark lines, forming clusters of two and three squares.

Polyomino Buildings: Players have collections of polyomino buildings in bronze, silver, and gold, reminiscent of Tetris shapes.

Location Cards: Used to acquire ownership of city blocks.

Worker Tokens: Four workers per player, acting as placeholders for future construction.

Legendary Skyscraper Cards: Representing historic skyscrapers that cover multiple city blocks.

Special Ability Cards: Allow for combination moves and lucrative turns.

Character Cards: Feature great artwork and contribute to the game’s theme.

How To Setup New York 1901

To set up the game, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the table. Each player selects a set of polyomino buildings and worker tokens. The location cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Legendary skyscraper cards and special ability cards are also distributed or made available. Players choose three streets for scoring objectives, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Territory Control: Players acquire location cards to control city blocks.

Polyomino Placement: Players place polyomino buildings on the board, similar to Tetris.

Demolition and Rebuilding: Players can demolish existing buildings to make way for larger, more advanced structures.

Worker Placement: Workers are used as placeholders for future construction.

Legendary Skyscrapers: Players aim to build historic skyscrapers for significant point boosts.

Special Abilities: Players use special ability cards to enhance their turns.

Game Objective: The goal is to score the most points by constructing, demolishing, and rebuilding skyscrapers, while controlling key streets.

Player Experience

Playing **New York 1901** is a dynamic and strategic experience. The game is easy to learn but challenging to master, with a simple scoring system and quick turns. Players must balance acquiring new land, building structures, and demolishing existing ones to make room for more lucrative projects. The inclusion of legendary skyscrapers adds a layer of excitement and competition, as players race to secure the best locations. The game’s theme and artwork, particularly the early 20th-century vibe, enhance the player’s immersion in the world of early New York City real estate.

Pros

High Replay Value: Random scoring variants and setup ensure high replayability.

Great Concept and Theme: The game’s historical setting and real estate theme are unique and engaging.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and quick turns make it accessible to new players.

Low Luck, Skill-Based: The game emphasizes strategic decision-making over luck.

Beautiful Components: The game board and character cards feature excellent artwork.

Cons

Simplicity: Some players may find the game too simple or repetitive.

Component Quality: Mixed opinions on the build quality, with some components made of low-quality plastic.

Personal Thoughts on New York 1901

**New York 1901** is ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy light to medium complexity games. It’s perfect for introducing new players to modern board games, thanks to its easy-to-understand rules and engaging gameplay. The game’s balance of strategy and luck makes it appealing to a wide range of players, from children aged 8+ to adult gamers looking for a fun, yet strategic, experience.

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.