Captains of Industry

I had praised it before, so coming back to it was something of an endurance test. It did not disappoint at all: it produced another very strong session and confirmed that it is one of the few economic games that genuinely holds up with five players, without putting strain on the group or turning the waiting into a chore.

Its core is economic confrontation: we fight over prices, real estate, and production, with every choice mattering because the opponents are pursuing the same things. This is not a quiet game where everyone builds their own little kingdom; the others' presence is constantly felt, and the table is always primed for conflict.

With five players, that becomes a proper bloodbath in the open. Clashes break out on every level, from prices to space and production, and the interaction never remains theoretical. In this session, the delay in the appearance of the city cards stretched the ending even further, until the final straight became a genuine slaughter.

My verdict has not changed: we love Captains of Industry. I think its low BGG rating is unjustified, especially for anyone looking for an economic game that can handle five players and generate meaningful friction. It would suit a reprint very well, because I do not even know how easily it can be found anymore.

Updated session

The later session did not overturn my initial opinion; it strengthened it decisively. At five players, the game once again looked completely at home, while the late city cards made the finale even harsher and more drawn out.