Urban Sprawl

Grow Anywhere, USA into a metropolis as entrepreneur, tycoon and politician, one permit at a time.

Designer: Chad Jensen
Published by: GMT Games

Urban Sprawl lets you grow a town into a teeming metropolis, abstractly, and not as a mayor but as three people at once: entrepreneur, tycoon and politician. Over about three hours you collect permits, turn them into investments or new building contracts, and fight for dominance in the building zones on a square grid. Buildings go up and get torn down for bigger ones, and you earn and spend wealth and prestige along the way. Being strongest in a zone brings political benefits. Tile placement, open drafting, action points and area majority all meet in one heavy-ish economic game for two to four players, best with three. Ages twelve and up.

Three roles: entrepreneur, tycoon, politicianPermits become investments or contractsDominate zones for political benefits

Who it's for

You like heavier economic games with city growth and area control, and you have three hours and two or three willing players.

Not for you if…

You want something light or short. Three hours of planning is the format, and quick pick-up play is not.

Vibe's take

Thoughtful and slow-building. You keep juggling permits, contracts and zones, and each new tower can pay off or block a rival's plan.