Nostra City (2009) Board Game

Nostra City is a board game released in 2009, designed by Nicolas Fructus. The game is set in a mafia-themed world where players take on the roles of mob bosses competing for control of the city. With a mix of negotiation, auctioning, and variable player powers, Nostra City offers a unique gaming experience.

Game Components of Nostra City

Cards: Turf/racket cards, wiseguy cards, income cards, bribe cards, investigation cards, and Vendetta cards.

Player Tokens: Representing the players’ wiseguys and other game elements.

Bribe Pile: For placing money cards to influence the trial verdict.

Trial Verdict Tracker: To track the boss’s innocence or guilt.

How To Setup Nostra City

To set up Nostra City, each player chooses a lieutenant and receives a set of starting wiseguys and turf/racket cards. The income cards, bribe cards, and other necessary cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. The trial verdict tracker is initialized to a neutral position.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Auction/Bidding: Players bid secretly on cards such as wiseguys, turf/rackets, and investigations.

Team-Based Game: Players work together to influence the trial verdict, but with individual goals.

Variable Player Powers: Each player has different abilities and resources.

Objective: The primary goal is to get the mob boss found innocent. Players earn respect points by successfully managing the family’s business and influencing the trial. If the boss is found innocent, the player with the most respect wins. However, if the boss is found guilty, all players lose unless one has become an FBI snitch.

Player Experience

Nostra City offers a semi-cooperative gameplay experience with a hint of double-crossing and paranoia. Players go through three phases: Business, Meeting, and Trial. In the Business phase, players collect income and can cheat each other, earning Vendetta cards. The Meeting phase involves secret auctions for valuable cards. The Trial phase sees players placing bribe cards to sway the verdict. The game requires strategic thinking and tactical play, with a balance between cooperation and competition.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: The game includes tense auctions and a unique income distribution system.

Replayability: Each game can be played differently due to the variable player powers and secret bidding.

Theme Integration: The game’s theme of managing a mob family’s business and influencing a trial is well-integrated into the mechanics.

Social Interaction: Promotes banter and negotiation among players.

Cons

Complexity: The game has multiple phases and mechanics, which can take time to understand.

Initial Learning Curve: Players may need a few rounds to fully grasp the strategies and optimal play.

Dependence on Player Count: The game is likely better with 4 or 5 players, as interactions and tensions are heightened.

Personal Thoughts on Nostra City

Nostra City is for players who enjoy strategic, semi-cooperative games with a strong social element. It’s ideal for those who appreciate games that balance individual goals with collective success and enjoy the intrigue of secret actions and negotiations. The game is not for those who prefer simple, straightforward rules or quick play sessions, as it requires time to learn and master the various mechanics. However, for fans of tactical play and thematic depth, Nostra City offers a rich and engaging experience.

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