Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
If you already enjoy "The Market," this expansion brings worthwhile new elements, adding more risk and reward without significantly extending playtime.
Highlights
- New strategic options
- Deepens resource management
- Alternative win condition
- Keeps the game snappy
Keep in mind
- Requires the base game
- Riskier decisions
- Can increase complexity
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready to supercharge your "The Market" experience! "The Upgrades: A Market Expansion" introduces a mysterious blacksmith to your little marketplace, ready to trade unique and mystical items. Forget the simple exchange of temporary for permanent resources; now, you can sacrifice your most precious assets in the hope of finding a game-changing power. This expansion introduces "Hard Fire," a new resource to help build your game engine, and "Upgrades," special wares that can be leveled up to become even more powerful. And there's more: a new "Power"-focused win condition can turn the game on its head! If you enjoy the idea of risking it all for an epic reward and love seeing your game engine evolve in unexpected ways, this expansion is for you. It adds an extra layer of depth and tough decisions while keeping the playtime fast and dynamic. It's the kind of game that makes you think twice before each move, but rewards boldness. The art and theme remain engaging, bringing this peculiar market to life where even permanence is fleeting. Perfect for those who want more "The Market" without overcomplicating the rules.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
OK
2
OK
3
OK
4
OK
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Where to Buy
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
(Self-Published)
Designer
G. Wesley Cone
Artist
Raphael Quek (@bananasboy_)
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
14owners
4wishlist
1want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Do I need the base game "The Market" to play "The Upgrades"?
Yes, absolutely! "The Upgrades" is an expansion and requires the base game "The Market" to be played.
How many players does this expansion support?
The expansion maintains the same player count as the base game, which is for 1 to 4 players.
Does the game get much longer with this expansion?
No, the expansion is designed to add depth without drastically increasing playtime, which remains between 20 and 30 minutes.
What is the complexity level of "The Upgrades"?
The complexity increases slightly compared to the base game, but it's still considered light to medium. The new mechanics add more options, but the learning curve is smooth.
What are the main new features this expansion brings?
It introduces a new resource called "Hard Fire," "Upgrade" wares that can be improved, and a new way to win the game focused on "Power," along with new cards and riskier decisions.
Does this expansion significantly change the base game?
It adds strategic layers and new possibilities but maintains the core essence of "The Market." It's more of an evolution than a complete revolution.
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