- BGG rank
- BGG #957
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Imperial Steam
- 2–4 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 4.2/5
- 2021
- BGG rank
- BGG #9,473
- BGG rating
- 6.1
Urbanization
2012
Rules assistance for Urbanization
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 75 min
- 12+
- Complexity 2.9/5
Rules assistant for Urbanization
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Urbanization is a board game released in 2012 for 2–4 players, 75 minutes per game, and ages 12 and up. It was designed by Johnny Ebsen and its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Income, and Network and Route Building.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #642
- BGG rating
- 8.2
La Granja: Deluxe Master Set
- 1–4 players
- 90–120 min
- Complexity 3.5/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,302
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Minerva
- 1–4 players
- 60–90 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2015
- BGG rank
- BGG #366
- BGG rating
- 7.8
The Great Zimbabwe
- 2–5 players
- 90–150 min
- Complexity 3.7/5
- 2012
- BGG rank
- BGG #3,952
- BGG rating
- 7.1
Terminus
- 1–5 players
- 90–180 min
- Complexity 3.8/5
- 2024
- BGG rank
- BGG #1
- BGG rating
- 8.6
Brass: Birmingham
- 2–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #22
- BGG rating
- 8.2
Brass: Lancashire
- 2–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.8/5
- 2007
- BGG rank
- BGG #75
- BGG rating
- 7.8
Power Grid
- 2–6 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2004
- BGG rank
- BGG #406
- BGG rating
- 7.9
Power Grid Deluxe: Europe/North America
- 2–6 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.2/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,802
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Power Grid: Outpost
- 2–6 players
- 90–120 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 2024
- BGG rank
- BGG #5,128
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Brass: Pittsburgh
- 1–4 players
- 120 min
- Complexity 3.7/5
- 2027
- BGG rank
- BGG #4,244
- BGG rating
- 6.8
Arkwright: The Card Game
- 1–4 players
- 60–100 min
- Complexity 4.0/5
- 2021
About the game
Game description from the publisher: In Urbanization, the players follow the development of a rural area, from the beginning of the industrial revolution to modern times. They guide their villages through hard times and try to attract citizens by building houses. Later, factories are erected and the villages grow into prospering cities. The player who develops his city most efficiently will be victorious in the end. Game play in Urbanization includes no random elements, and the game comes packaged with an expansion, "the inventions".
Editions
- UrbanizationenQueen Games2012
- UrbanizationenQueen Games2012
Categories
Mechanics
Designers
Publishers
- Queen Games
Questions and answers
Urbanization supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Urbanization is 75 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Urbanization for ages 12 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Urbanization has a complexity rating of 2.9 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Urbanization belongs to these categories: City Building. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Income, and Network and Route Building. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Urbanization are: Johnny Ebsen. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Urbanization as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.