City of the Great Machine

City of the Great Machine

Science Fiction
Players
1-4
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
1 player
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
90 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
14+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
3.6 / 5
Year
2023

About the game

City of the Great Machine pits an artificial intelligence called the Great Machine, ruling a steampunk sky-city, against a band of Heroes fighting to spark a revolution. Playable as an asymmetric one-vs-many battle (2-4 players) or fully cooperative/solo against an automated AI (1-3 players), the game combines hidden movement, resource management, and a modular, repositionable city board. Heroes must secretly plan their movements and stir unrest while the Great Machine deploys Servants and Guards to crush dissent. With unique victory conditions for each side, every session unfolds differently.

Hobbli's Notes

This is a striking asymmetric design; the tension between overt Machine control and covert Hero subterfuge gives it real thematic bite. Hobbli's editors appreciate that it scales from solo to a small group without losing its identity, and the modular, mobile city keeps the board state feeling alive. It's a fairly heavy, brain-burning experience, so it's best suited to players who enjoy grappling with asymmetric rules.

What we like

  • Distinctive asymmetric one-vs-many and solo/co-op modes in a single box.
  • Hidden movement creates real tension and bluffing.
  • Modular, repositionable city board keeps every game visually and tactically fresh.
  • Strong steampunk theme integrated into mechanics.

Keep in mind

  • High complexity and asymmetry mean a steep learning curve.
  • Needs a confident 'Machine' player or reliance on the automated AI.
  • Niche theme and heavier rules may not suit casual groups.

Who it's for

Ideal for 1-4 players aged 14+ who enjoy heavy asymmetric strategy, hidden information, and cooperative or one-vs-many play styles.

Mechanics

Action QueueMovementCooperative GameHidden MovementModular BoardSolo / Solitaire GameTeam-Based Game

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