#22: Big City (Mark's 100)

Big City

Mark's Ranking

• 2014: 22nd
• 2012: 33rd
• 2010: 23rd
• 2005: 22nd
• appeared on all four lists

BoardGameGeek

• rank: 694
• rating: 6.91

Print Status

• very, very OOP

Why It's On The List

• There have been a lot of attempts to make city-building games - but I think Big City still reigns supreme. Primarily, that's because of two things: lightning fast gameplay and unbelievably awesome plastic components.

Tips & Tricks:

• You MUST play aggressively to win - manipulation of the streetcar line is particularly important. (We have, by the way, always used the "can only play off the ends of the streetcar line" variant - seems to make more sense thematically.)
• The game allows you to see what neighborhood "deeds" your opponents are collecting - use that information to your benefit!
• While the Shopping Center is a big point bump, the effort to "set the table" in order to build it can cost a number of unfruitful turns.

Extras

• Sadly, Valley Games will not be reprinting Big City - or anything else for that matter. 
• While components are provided for up to five players, I think the sweet spot for the game is 2-3 players. Four & five "work" just fine - but they are pretty chaotic. Two or three offers a nice level of control.
•  Here's a pretty extensive post I wrote about Big City for my blog aka pastor guy (and which originally appeared on my Game Central Station website).
• Here's what I wrote about Big City for The One Hundred.