Chicago & NorthWestern

Rio Grande Games, Winsome Games · Board game · 2016

3–5 · best 4 60 min Weight 3.1/5

— rating Ludopedia

6.9 rating BGG

Buy · from US$ 28.99

— rating Ludopedia

6.9 rating BGG

Buy · from US$ 28.99 Ask about Rules

Our Verdict

FOR GENRE FANS

If you enjoy train and economic games where interaction leans more towards speculation than cooperation, Chicago & NorthWestern is a perfect fit. It's a quick and straightforward strategic challenge!

Highlights

Sharp economic strategy
Intense player interaction
Addictive railroad expansion
Impactful decisions every turn
Quick and to the point

Keep in mind

Not for cooperative players
Can be unforgiving for beginners
Total focus on wealth accumulation

Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Ready to feel like a 19th-century railroad magnate? In Chicago & NorthWestern, you and your friends will dive into the American Midwest, controlling the explosive expansion of railroads. Forget friendship; here, it's all about money and self-interest! The game puts you in the shoes of a robber baron (in a good way, of course!) seeking to exploit the region, expanding rail lines from Chicago to the Rocky Mountains. Each round, your clever decisions and sharp execution are crucial. The dividends you accumulate are the fuel for continued growth, and alliances between shareholders can shift at any moment, always with an eye on the ultimate goal: accumulating more and more wealth. Don't expect a cuddly game; Chicago & NorthWestern is about pure economic strategy, where the player with the most money at the end of the game takes the victory. Prepare for tense negotiations and plenty of stock market speculation, all within about an hour of gameplay.

Gallery

Box and component photos

11 photos · from the community

01 / 11

Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

In English

Chicago & NorthWestern - Learn While Playing BGG Watch on YouTube

Best player count

BGG community vote

3–5 players

3 REC

4 BEST

5 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Publisher Rio Grande Games, Winsome Games

Designer John Bohrer

Artist Todd Sanders

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

341owners

62wishlist

22want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions

What is the average playtime for Chicago & NorthWestern?

A game of Chicago & NorthWestern typically lasts around 60 minutes, making it a relatively quick game for the strategic depth it offers.

How many players can participate?

The game is designed for 3 to 5 players, which ensures good market dynamics and interaction among participants.

Is it a complex game? What's the difficulty level?

With a BGG weight of 3.08/5, it's considered a medium-to-heavy difficulty game. It's not a light eurogame, but also not an extreme 'brain burner.' It requires strategic thinking and familiarity with economic mechanics.

What are the main components of the game?

The game typically includes a board representing the American Midwest map, wooden cubes to represent stocks/companies, money tokens, and cards for managing railroads and the stock market.

Is Chicago & NorthWestern beginner-friendly?

Not really! The game itself suggests it's 'not a friendly game.' It rewards players who understand economic mechanics well and are willing to be a bit 'ruthless' to accumulate wealth. Beginners might face a steeper learning curve.

What is the ultimate goal to win the game?

The objective is straightforward: be the player with the most money at the end of the game. All your expansion, investment, and speculation actions should aim to increase your fortune.

Is there any language dependency to play?

There is no significant language dependency. The components are mostly iconic and numerical, and the rules, once learned, do not require constant text reading during gameplay.