Chinatown in about 3 minutes

A short summary of Chinatown - in about 3 minutes.
Designed by Karsten Hartwig
Artist Mathieu Leyssenne, Franz Vohwinkel
Published by Z-man Games
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Sound effects from www.zapsplat.com

[@Vysetron]

Oh look, it's my favorite game. Chinatown's beautiful because it forces everyone to play nice. If anyone plays hardball with the whole table or tries to math it out too much you can just shut them out of trades until they get with it. You can't win on your own. Collaborative competition is awesome and I don't know another game that does it better.

[@3MBG]

Agreed. It's just a neat positive, yet competitive vibe when we play.

[@matthewcrawford4216]

Excellent review. I love that you list a couple other games similar at the end for different options. I played Pit when I was younger with my family and it is a crazy bidding/trading game. Chinatown looks like a fun strategic barter/trade game. I like the shorter game time as well.

[@3MBG]

Chinatown is very much like pit, but with more structure and long term planning. So yeah, if you enjoyed the vibe of pit, its a good step up. I always try to do two recommendations. Ideally, one simpler and one more complex. Or games that focus in on one of the mechanics in the game shown more.

[@tychay]

Pit brings back memories (of the red/orange bell(*)). My family had it when I was a kid. I think the game dates back far further, like back there with the Game of Life, Monopoly, Uno and the like. Is it still around? (*) The orange bell probably dates me?

[@3MBG]

Yep, I picked up a copy of pit last year

[@dylangajewski]

The review format is perfect and the two recommendations at the end are the cherry on the cake

[@williamfischer4917]

Just got my copy from the new print run! Can't wait to try it. Bohnanza is one of my favorite games, and I also really love The Estates. It has taken me several years in the hobby to realize how player interaction is perhaps what I value most highly.

[@3MBG]

If that's what you love, yeah, this should be a hit

[@RobertKonigsberg]

This looks great. It's got bits of Bohnanza and Medici, and the tiles are just gorgeous. I agree the stereotypes are there, I'd have to think about that.

[@Quincy_Morris]

If you don’t like something because it fits a stereotype then you are being racist. Some people have culture or behavior that fits stereotypes. And if you don’t like that then you are being the racist one.

[@kchorst5037]

Are they streotypes, or are they the most common businesses owned in the 1960's-70's? Just asking, I was not born and have been to NYC just a half dozen times.

[@3MBG]

Both. I've talked to friends of Chinese descent who find the theme a little off-putting. Which is why I made that comment.

[@kchorst5037]

@@3MBG That's helpful. I appreciate comments like that on certain settings.

[@legonut78]

This is quite literally what Chinatown was like a decade ago. I assume it’s the same. Just because something is cultural doesn’t make it wrong. None of my Asian friends see a problem with this, but I have a couple white friends that do (coincidentally the only two that haven’t visited Chinatown). Just finding this game years later. Great game. Thick in theme. Love it. I just got back from visiting a different Chinatown with an Asian friend; we had to barter for some items even though I happily wanted to pay full price. He explained that this shop keeper finds it insulting to not try and negotiate. Okay. Didn’t know that was a thing.

[@DanGalarzaCyber]

Nice shout outs to Pit and Sidereal Confluence

[@Rufiy0]

interested in this game, is the game shown on the video the new reprinted version?

[@3MBG]

Nah, its the previous print run. But I don't think there are any changes of substance. It's just a reprint, not a new edition.

[@3MBG]

I'll ask Z-man games and get back to you though

[@3MBG]

No reply from z-man, but got some commentors saying that they have it, and it looks the same

[@republikadugave420]

Best trading game i played... 5 player is best...

[@Skippan]

Shut up & Sit Down just streamed a play. Coincidence?

[@wolff]

It has being recently reprinted for the US. It was oop for a while so more than coincidence it's timing.

[@3MBG]

yeah, coincidence based on the reprint, and that thing I do where I try to do two game reviews back to back of similar games. My next review, as voted on Patreon, is for Sidereal Confluence. And I thought with the reprint, and sidereal confluence being voted on, it was a good time to do it. I stopped watching SU&SD a while back. Not long after Paul left.

[@matthewcrawford4216]

3 Minute Board Games the Pear looks at you with displeasure!

[@Skippan]

@@3MBG Good thing, Sidereal Confluence is well regarded by (british :D) critics. Deserves to be more well known

[@wayner396]

@@3MBG same. When Paul left they lost a lot of their magic and deeper writing and humor. Tom has recently helped a lot with that with his interesting editing and review style but overall I've lost a lot of interest in that channel.

[@DanielHolding]

The game play look super fun to me and really looks like it would suit my group...but I just Do Not At All like the graphics... I can't stand it...

[@3MBG]

That's fair. It could really use a new edition with some new art, and perhaps a new theme. Gameplay is bonkers good though