Thanks Alex, I appreciate a solid game but I also need opportunities to be cleverer than the other players (or alternately allow them to be cleverer than me). Without that there ain't much to a game for me.
Mechanically and aesthetically this is exactly my kind of game. But while I love industrial themes in general, I hate this specific one (for obvious reasons listed by others) and there's no solo version so I'll have to pass.
It seems you hang your hat on the lack of "wow" moments. Odd, since I consider most "wow" moments in Euro-gaming as being an over-powered synthesis of different mechanisms converging. If I want "wow" moments, I don't generally play Euro-style games at all. Union Stockyards surprised me for being such a clever, tight design, with higher profit margins proving to be hard to achieve and maintain, which is what one should expect in a competitive economic game.
The aesthetics really, really do not appeal to me. That being said, the theme and gameplay don't seem to make up for the way the game looks. Would be willing to try it but definitely not for me. Appreciate your insights as always.
@@pawnstorminreno Fair enough. I suppose I'm a bit more bothered by the fact that you play as some of the worst people in our industrial history, and win by making money while "controlling" the workers...and I'm completely leaving out the deplorable treatment of animals. I can't wrap my head around that being a viable theme. But it looks like it funded, so I guess there's enough people that either don't know the facts or don't care.
What a terrible game theme. This industry is so rampant with exploitation of literally everyone/everything involved that propping up these meat packing moguls and just glorifying the whole thing is incredibly tasteless. Historically accurate my ass
The developer's write up on the KS page specifically mentions that the game is just based on a historical theme and is in no way glamorizing nor demonizing what happened. It's just an originally themed game. Read the notes here: "Many undesirable practices occurred in the Union Stockyards, including dangerous working conditions, pollution, and unsanitary food production - especially during the early years of Packingtown. However, the Stockyards also played an integral part in many societal advancements, including the eight-hour workday, modernized food inspection, and technology advancements in food safety, food canning, antibacterial soap, and refrigeration. This game is intended to neither glamorize nor demonize this unique piece of history. The subject matter was thoroughly researched for several years during the game design process in order to ensure the greatest degree of historical accuracy could be represented."
Read the history of these stockyards. Read about the massive exploitation and countless deaths of immigrants, massive land damage, severe pollution to the surrounding land and water systems, horrific treatment of animals and barbaric inhumane slaughter techniques. Philip Armour blatantly mistreated his workers, knowingly causing many of them to die from the abhorrent working conditions. Yet in this game, he is one of the protagonists, and you (playing as him or one of the others) need to "control" your workers so they don't strike. In real life, Armour sent machine guns to security forces with instructions to "put down" any attempts by workers to strike or unionize. That is not a person who should be a "hero" in any game. This isn't some generic theme. It is specific, and it glorifies the abusers, while completely ignoring the ones who suffered and died for their greed. The "workers" in this game represent immigrant laborers who were abused and killed, while the "heroes" in this game used violence to crush any attempt they made to obtain even slightly less horrific working conditions. Making a game to simulate making money off of this disgraceful part of American History is shameful.
LOL - next thing you know, people are gonna start designing games with Civil War, WW1, WW2, Vietnam, Roman Empire, Mongolian, and Viking conquest themes
@@Fettigator LOL - Typical poorly thought out response. This game is claiming to be HISTORICALLY ACCURATE...while ignoring the real history. That is the issue. Sorry if that's a bit too nuanced for you to understand.
@@michaelmueller260 I think you could have replied to Fettigator perfectly politely and still got your point across. Yes, he disagrees with you. Yes, he may be wrong. But it's like I would tell my children, you can be absolutely correct but put yourself in the wrong by not arguing your case respectfully.
@@hairygnome1787 You are 100% right. While his comment and tone were rude and mocking...I shouldn't have responded in kind. The first and last sentences should have been omitted.
I'm interested. Think I'd go for Trailblazer: the John Muir Trail though. Maybe both by the time retail hits
Really intrigued by this one but ill wait until retail, Is this Alex way of saying he given into the goodness of pork
Great review as always :D
Ahhhh crud....didn't know about this game and now i want it.
Lol sorry
Thanks Alex, I appreciate a solid game but I also need opportunities to be cleverer than the other players (or alternately allow them to be cleverer than me). Without that there ain't much to a game for me.
Mechanically and aesthetically this is exactly my kind of game. But while I love industrial themes in general, I hate this specific one (for obvious reasons listed by others) and there's no solo version so I'll have to pass.
It seems you hang your hat on the lack of "wow" moments. Odd, since I consider most "wow" moments in Euro-gaming as being an over-powered synthesis of different mechanisms converging. If I want "wow" moments, I don't generally play Euro-style games at all. Union Stockyards surprised me for being such a clever, tight design, with higher profit margins proving to be hard to achieve and maintain, which is what one should expect in a competitive economic game.
Arkwright lite?
Much lighter than that.
The aesthetics really, really do not appeal to me. That being said, the theme and gameplay don't seem to make up for the way the game looks. Would be willing to try it but definitely not for me. Appreciate your insights as always.
🐐🥁👍
Not a great theme. Slaughter house as the main theme?
Not to mention the exploitation and deaths of immigrants made to work in horrifically unsanitary and unsafe condtions.
@@michaelmueller260 Good point! I'm not outraged, but this game doesn't appeal and is a bit of a head scratcher.
@@pawnstorminreno Fair enough. I suppose I'm a bit more bothered by the fact that you play as some of the worst people in our industrial history, and win by making money while "controlling" the workers...and I'm completely leaving out the deplorable treatment of animals. I can't wrap my head around that being a viable theme. But it looks like it funded, so I guess there's enough people that either don't know the facts or don't care.
This theme makes me just as angry as that cancelled Prison Architect game.
What a terrible game theme. This industry is so rampant with exploitation of literally everyone/everything involved that propping up these meat packing moguls and just glorifying the whole thing is incredibly tasteless. Historically accurate my ass
The developer's write up on the KS page specifically mentions that the game is just based on a historical theme and is in no way glamorizing nor demonizing what happened. It's just an originally themed game. Read the notes here:
"Many undesirable practices occurred in the Union Stockyards, including dangerous working conditions, pollution, and unsanitary food production - especially during the early years of Packingtown. However, the Stockyards also played an integral part in many societal advancements, including the eight-hour workday, modernized food inspection, and technology advancements in food safety, food canning, antibacterial soap, and refrigeration. This game is intended to neither glamorize nor demonize this unique piece of history. The subject matter was thoroughly researched for several years during the game design process in order to ensure the greatest degree of historical accuracy could be represented."
Read the history of these stockyards. Read about the massive exploitation and countless deaths of immigrants, massive land damage, severe pollution to the surrounding land and water systems, horrific treatment of animals and barbaric inhumane slaughter techniques. Philip Armour blatantly mistreated his workers, knowingly causing many of them to die from the abhorrent working conditions. Yet in this game, he is one of the protagonists, and you (playing as him or one of the others) need to "control" your workers so they don't strike. In real life, Armour sent machine guns to security forces with instructions to "put down" any attempts by workers to strike or unionize. That is not a person who should be a "hero" in any game. This isn't some generic theme. It is specific, and it glorifies the abusers, while completely ignoring the ones who suffered and died for their greed. The "workers" in this game represent immigrant laborers who were abused and killed, while the "heroes" in this game used violence to crush any attempt they made to obtain even slightly less horrific working conditions. Making a game to simulate making money off of this disgraceful part of American History is shameful.
LOL - next thing you know, people are gonna start designing games with Civil War, WW1, WW2, Vietnam, Roman Empire, Mongolian, and Viking conquest themes
@@Fettigator LOL - Typical poorly thought out response. This game is claiming to be HISTORICALLY ACCURATE...while ignoring the real history. That is the issue. Sorry if that's a bit too nuanced for you to understand.
@@michaelmueller260 I think you could have replied to Fettigator perfectly politely and still got your point across. Yes, he disagrees with you. Yes, he may be wrong. But it's like I would tell my children, you can be absolutely correct but put yourself in the wrong by not arguing your case respectfully.
@@hairygnome1787 You are 100% right. While his comment and tone were rude and mocking...I shouldn't have responded in kind. The first and last sentences should have been omitted.
@@michaelmueller260 thanks for the reply. And with hindsight, it probably wasnt my place to stick my nose in, anyway. Take care 🙂