Union Stockyards

In Union Stockyards, I step in with a meat-magnate mindset: I take the family business and try to turn it into a slaughterhouse empire. It is a zero-luck economic game, with bonus building and a pleasing Tetris-like feel to placement.

At its core, the game has me grow my business through economic choices and construction. Its premise does not necessarily look exciting when I read it: on paper, it can seem a little “meh.” But once I sit down to play, its economic system pulls me in and the decisions find their rhythm.

Interaction comes through that economic race and through how I arrange my buildings. I do not have to wrestle with heavy or confusing procedures; the rules are relaxed and the flow stays clear, leaving room for the game rather than for leafing through instructions.

I would not call it revolutionary, nor a title on the level of Splotter. But I would call it a good game, with an okay length and a good overall experience. It is high on the list of games we would all happily play again. Plus bacon.