Motor City

25th Century Games, Motor City Gameworks, CrowD Games · Board game · 2023
1–5 · best 2 Solo 45 min Weight 2.9/5
6.7 rating Ludopedia
7.1 rating BGG
Buy
6.7 rating Ludopedia
7.1 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you love factory management and dice, Motor City will hook you from round one.

Highlights
  • Simple, low‑cost components
  • Light, fluid strategy
  • Well‑tuned solo mode
Keep in mind
  • Learning curve for rules
  • Paper‑and‑pencil reliance
RECOMMENDED
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.
About the game
Motor City puts you in charge of an automobile factory during Detroit's industrial golden age. Each player gets two production sheets packed with tracks that represent engineering, assembly, testing, logistics and other crucial areas. As you progress, the tracks interlock, granting bonuses and unlocking extra scoring opportunities. The game unfolds over eight rounds. In each round, a pool of colored dice – the number varies with player count – is rolled and placed on the blueprint table according to color and value. Players then draft a die (action drafting), use its icon to advance on their tracks, and after everyone has drafted twice, the remaining die becomes available to all. After eight rounds you score for the levels reached in each area, for inter‑track bonuses, and for specific objectives. The solo mode introduces an auditor who also drafts dice and blocks sections of your sheet, offering a challenge that’s easily tuned by swapping dice colors during setup. No extra rules are needed to adjust difficulty, making the experience smooth for both newcomers and veterans who like to fine‑tune complexity. With simple components – paper, pencil and icon dice – Motor City delivers a satisfying production‑management feel without a bulky board or pricey pieces. Perfect for fans of light‑weight strategy, roll‑and‑write, and anyone intrigued by American industrial history.
Rules videos

In English

BEST PLAYER COUNT
1 REC
2 BEST
3 BEST
4 REC
5 OK
WHERE TO BUY
Finding best prices...
Game details

Families

Cities: Detroit (Michigan, USA) Components: Dice with Icons Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Mechanism: Dice Drafting Mechanism: Roll-and-Write Series: Loaded Roll and Write (Motor City Gameworks)
Publisher 25th Century Games, Motor City Gameworks, CrowD Games, Gameland 游戏大陆, MM-Spiele, Mosaico Jogos, Salt & Pepper Games
Designer Adam Hill, Ben Pinchback, Matt Riddle
Artist Ilya Avakov, Marlies Barends
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play?
1 to 5 players, including the solo variant.
What’s the typical play time?
About 45 minutes, varying with player count.
How complex is the game?
Light to moderate (weight 2.9/5), easy to learn with strategic depth.
What components are included?
Paper sheets, pencils, colored icon dice, and a blueprint board (usually provided).
Is it beginner‑friendly?
Yes, the rules are straightforward; difficulty can be tweaked by changing dice colors.
Is the solo mode challenging?
Definitely – the auditor blocks parts of your sheet, but you control difficulty by dice colors.
Do I need any extra supplies?
No, everything you need is in the box.