City of Iron

Red Raven Games · Board game · 2013
7.0 Ludopedia 7.1 BGG 2–4 · best 4 120 min Weight 3.2/5
Buy · from US$ 45.64
7.0 rating Ludopedia
7.1 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy civilization games with an economic twist and a touch of deck-building, City of Iron might be your next obsession! It's a treat for those who love to plan and watch their empire grow.

Highlights
  • Satisfying engine building
  • Immersive steampunk theme
  • Interesting asymmetrical powers
  • Deep strategic decisions
  • High replayability
Keep in mind
  • Can be a bit long
  • Initial learning curve
  • Indirect interaction
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

In City of Iron, get ready to lead one of four rival nations in a fascinating world that blends steam-powered machines, magic, and plenty of cash! This game for 2 to 4 players puts you in command of a rising civilization, where every choice is crucial for the future of your empire. You can be the master of the industrious humans, the ingenious toad engineers, the wise Cresarians, or the cunning hogmen. Each race offers a unique perspective for building your legacy.

Your journey involves a series of strategic decisions. Want to dominate the market? Produce valuable goods like machine parts or even bottled demons to fill your coffers. Prefer brute force? Invest in steam-age technology research and recruit mercenaries to expand your dominion across the continent. For those who enjoy exploration, building schooners or airships is key to reaching distant lands and flying islands, establishing new cities and expanding your influence. But beware: your cities have limited capacity! You'll need to be a clever urban planner, deciding what to keep and what to demolish to make way for more advanced structures. With hundreds of lavishly illustrated cards, an extra-large board, and many components, City of Iron offers an immersive and challenging experience where you shape the destiny of a nation in a vibrant steampunk setting. Build an unbreakable foundation or watch your empire turn to dust in history!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

2 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

Loading playlist...

Where to Buy

Prices monitored daily

Finding best prices...

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.

Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Admin: Better Description Needed! Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Setting: World of Arzium Theme: City Theme: Steampunk
Publisher Red Raven Games
Designer Ryan Laukat
Artist Ryan Laukat

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

2,265owners
729wishlist
142want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the average playtime for City of Iron?
A game of City of Iron typically lasts between 120 and 120 minutes, so about 2 hours. It's a game for those who enjoy settling in and diving into strategy without rushing!
How many players can participate?
City of Iron is designed for 2 to 4 players. It plays well at all counts, but the dynamic shifts slightly depending on how many empires are competing.
Is it a complex game for beginners?
With a BGG weight of 3.23/5, City of Iron is considered a medium-heavy complexity game. It has an initial learning curve, but it will reward those who dedicate themselves to understanding its mechanics and strategies.
What are the main components of the game?
The game comes with hundreds of beautifully illustrated cards, an extra-large main board, land boards, coin tokens, and other components that help create a visually rich experience.
What is the main objective in City of Iron?
Your objective is to build the most prosperous and influential nation. This can be achieved through a strong economy, territorial dominance, technological advancement, or a combination of these strategies, depending on your chosen race and decisions.
Is there any language dependency in the game?
Ludopedia indicates 'little text, easily memorizable.' This suggests that while there is some text on the cards, it shouldn't be a significant barrier for non-English speaking players once the rules and icons are learned.

Other Games You'll Like

Based on mechanics and theme

8 games