2027German Tikhomirov
- Videos
- 4
- Creators
- 4
1 - 5 players60 - 120 min

2023German Tikhomirov
Some reviews. City of the Great Machine is covered on BoardGameVideo.com by 22 reviews, 9 how-to-play guides, 11 recorded sessions, 11 unboxings, and 4 other videos.
From BoardGameGeek
City of the Great Machine is a strategy game set in a grim universe of technocratic Victorian steampunk. The game features the conflict between the Great Machine, an artificial intelligence network, and an alliance of Heroes. The Great Machine is either controlled by a player or is automated, which completely changes the game play. The Great Machine controls a City built on mobile platforms in the sky. As the Great Machine, the player (or game AI) commands a force of perfected Servants and mechanical Guards. The Great Machine's ultimate goal is to suppress social unrest and complete its grandiose Master Plan to perfect the human race. The other players are Heroes working together against the Great Machine to start a revolution. They encourage discontent in the City, enlist the support of famous citizens, and inflame riots. They also attempt to prevent the Great Machine from completing the Master Plan, as it leads to the enslavement of the human race. Game features: City of the Great Machine may be played as One-vs-Many (2-4 players) or cooperatively/solo (1-3 players). Modular board allows for infinite City layouts. The players may reposition the City Districts during the game. Hidden movement. Each round, the Heroes secretly choose the Districts they will go to. Resource management. Both sides of the conflict have multiple actions to take and pay for them in Trust (Heroes) or Bonds (the Great Machine). The same is true for movement and other tasks. Asymmetric game play and unique victory conditions. The Heroes need 3 Riots to win, while the Great Machine strives to complete the Master Plan. Secrecy. The Heroes need to conceal their plans from the Great Machine, however, they may discuss their intentions only in the presence of the Great Machine.
City of the Great Machine has 57 videos from 44 creators: 22 reviews, 9 how-to-play guides, 11 playthroughs, 11 unboxings and 4 other videos. They date from 2021 to September 2026.
To learn the rules, start with "City of the Great Machine - Tutorial & Playthrough" by Getting Games, which runs 1 h 18 min. For a quicker teach, "How to play City of the Great Machine" by JestaThaRogue runs 13 min.
For an opinion before you buy, start with "City of the Great Machine is the Hide and Seek Board Game You Need" by No Pun Included. 20 creators have reviewed it. To see it played, watch "City of The Great Machine - SOLO Playthrough" by So Many Games, So Little Time SMGSLT, one of 11 playthroughs.
If you like it, try City of the Great Machine: The Story Unfolds, City of the Great Machine: The Escalation, City of the Great Machine: Stand-In Heroes and City of the Great Machine: The Confrontation, also by German Tikhomirov.
8 of 44
2027German Tikhomirov
1 - 5 players60 - 120 min
2023German Tikhomirov
1 - 4 players60 - 90 minHeavy weight
2023German Tikhomirov
1 - 4 players60 - 90 minHeavy weight
2023German Tikhomirov
1 - 4 players60 - 90 minVery heavy weight
From BoardGameGeek:
City of the Great Machine is a strategy game set in a grim universe of technocratic Victorian steampunk. The game features the conflict between the Great Machine, an artificial intelligence network, and an alliance of Heroes. The Great Machine is either controlled by a player or is automated, which completely changes the game play. The Great Machine controls a City built on mobile platforms in the sky. As the Great Machine, the player (or game AI) commands a force of perfected Servants and mechanical Guards. The Great Machine's ultimate goal is to suppress social unrest and complete its grandiose Master Plan to perfect the human race. The other players are Heroes working together against the Great Machine to start a revolution. They encourage discontent in the City, enlist the support of famous citizens, and inflame riots. They also attempt to prevent the Great Machine from completing the Master Plan, as it leads to the enslavement of the human race. Game features: City of the Great Machine may be played as One-vs-Many (2-4 players) or cooperatively/solo (1-3 players). Modular board allows for infinite City layouts. The players may reposition the City Districts during the game. Hidden movement. Each round, the Heroes secretly choose the Districts they will go to. Resource management. Both sides of the conflict have multiple actions to take and pay for them in Trust (Heroes) or Bonds (the Great Machine). The same is true for movement and other tasks. Asymmetric game play and unique victory conditions. The Heroes need 3 Riots to win, while the Great Machine strives to complete the Master Plan. Secrecy. The Heroes need to conceal their plans from the Great Machine, however, they may discuss their intentions only in the presence of the Great Machine.
Designer
German Tikhomirov
Artists
Maya Kurkhuli, Anna Laryushina, Nikolai Mitrukhin, Nadezhda Penkrat
Publisher
CrowD Games
Categories
Mechanics