Union Stockyards (2023) Board Game

The Union Stockyards Board Game is a modern economic strategy game designed by Andrew Bosley, known for his work on Everdell. The game is set in the bustling livestock trading market of the historic Union Stockyards in Chicago. Players take on the roles of cattle barons looking to buy, sell, and speculate on the future prices of livestock to build their fortunes.

Game Components of Union Stockyards

Player boards with historical company information

Buildings and infrastructure tokens

Livestock and meat market value tokens

Railroad and branch house components

Worker placement tokens

Round cards with historical events

Graphic design elements including real pictures

How To Setup Union Stockyards

Setting up Union Stockyards is straightforward. Players lay out the main board, distribute the player boards, and prepare the various tokens and cards. Each game uses a random selection of four round cards out of six available, adding variability to each playthrough.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Worker Placement: Players place workers to perform actions like buying land, building buildings, selling livestock, and conducting marketing campaigns.

Market Manipulation: Players influence the market value of livestock to maximize profits.

Political Influence: Players can affect the political climate to avoid worker strikes.

Branch House Building: Players construct branch houses in cities connected by railroads.

Game Objective

Players aim to accumulate the most points by:

Buying land and building buildings

Connecting buildings to railroad stations

Selling livestock based on market value

Building branch houses

Managing worker discontent and political influence

Utilizing bonus cards

The final score includes points from buildings, cash, meat stock margins, branch houses, and bonus cards, minus worker discontent level.

Player Experience

Union Stockyards offers a mid-weight gaming experience with stress-free yet strategic gameplay. The game is easy to teach and features quick and easy worker placement mechanics, although some key placement spots are restricted, making turn order important. The use of real historical events and companies adds a layer of authenticity and educational value.

Pros

Historical Accuracy: The game is based on real historical events and companies.

Variability: The random round cards ensure each game is fresh.

Satisfying Building Mechanics: Placing big buildings is satisfying.

Easy to Teach: The game is very straightforward and easy to explain.

Strategic Depth: The combination of worker placement and market manipulation provides a good balance of strategy.

Cons

Not ‘Fun’ for Everyone: Some players may find the game more serious and less entertaining.

Worker Strikes: High worker discontent can lead to strikes, which might disrupt gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Union Stockyards

Union Stockyards is ideal for fans of worker placement games and those interested in historical themes. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy strategic planning and market manipulation. While it may not be the most ‘fun’ game for everyone, it offers a unique blend of historical accuracy and engaging gameplay mechanics, making it a great choice for those looking for a mid-weight game with depth. If you enjoy games like Viticulture, you might find Union Stockyards to be a similarly satisfying experience.

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