Chicago 1875: City of the Big Shoulders
- Designer Raymond Chandler III
- Publisher Parallel Games , Emperor Penguin Games , Quined Games , 数寄ゲームズ (Suki Games)
- Illustration Emily R. Dearring , Andreas Resch
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players take on the roles of entrepreneurs and investors rebuilding Chicago after the great fire of 1871. Over five decades, they engage in stock trading, factory building, goods production, and sales. The game combines commodity speculation with contract mechanics, offering strategic depth in about 180 minutes of gameplay.
Who Is This Game For?
This game is aimed at experienced strategy gamers aged 14 and up who enjoy complex economic mechanics. With a playtime of roughly three hours and a solo mode included, it suits both solo and group play with a preference for deep planning.
How It Works
Over five rounds (decades), players progress through phases: stock trading (Commodity Speculation, Ownership), city building via contracts, making deals with partners, producing and shipping goods to generate income, and scoring end game bonuses. Each phase integrates economic and investment mechanics for a layered strategy experience.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Raymond Chandler III, Chicago 1875 merges 18xx-style stock manipulation with eurogame elements. It was nominated for the 2019 Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game and was a finalist for The Golden Elephant Award. Its unique blend of investment and income mechanics stands out in the Master Print series by Quined Games.
Awards
2019
- 2019 The Golden Elephant Award — Finalist
Pro
- Deep economic strategy with investment and stock trading
- Includes solo mode for single players
- Relatively shorter duration for a heavy economic game
- Excellent integration of commodity speculation and contracts
Contra
- Long playtime (~180 minutes) requires patience
- Complexity better suited for experienced players than families
- Minimum age of 14 restricts younger players
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set in industrial Chicago from 1871 to 1933, the game portrays the city's rebuilding and economic growth, including world exhibitions, reflecting its historical industry and commerce.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on understanding core stock trading and production phases before exploring advanced strategies.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Yes, Chicago 1875 includes a solo mode for single-player gameplay.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 180 minutes, including setup.
What prior experience do I need?
The game is complex and designed for experienced strategy and economic game players.
How does this compare to similar games?
Chicago 1875 combines 18xx-style stock trading with eurogame mechanics like contracts and end game bonuses.
Is this suitable for families?
Due to its complexity and 14+ age requirement, it is better suited for experienced players than families.
What mechanic makes it special?
The combination of commodity speculation and contract mechanics makes this game stand out.
Fazit
Chicago 1875 is recommended for players who enjoy economic complexity and stock trading but prefer a somewhat shorter duration than typical heavy economic games.
