City of the Big Shoulders: Be a Stock Market Magnate (SU&SD Review)

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[@necr0mancrr]

Matt's reviews are auditions to a play that doesn't exist

[@untitledphysicist3205]

Yet....

[@shutupandsitdown]

what if this *is* the play... and i got the part

[@Landdogger]

@@shutupandsitdown forever auditioning for a role he already has

[@roweenalangin9421]

@@shutupandsitdown I miss plays.

[@icecold1805]

@@shutupandsitdown what if this is the part... that you got to play (boardgames)

[@ImInSPAAAAACCE]

Does Matt specifically ask to review the mathsy economic games so he can keep dressing like a cartoony capitalist? Because I'm all for it

[@thumbfan72]

I like to think Matt already had a Quinns puppet ready to go.

[@foreverjetspacefella9980]

And Quinns has a Matt puppet ready to go

[@poilboiler]

Uh oh, someone is losing their job once we get used to them. :(

[@JCPRuckus]

"You're worse than the real one"... Truly brutal, especially considering that Quinton Strings never made you dress up like a worm and tried to ride you.

[@WildDanPryceAppeared]

Yet...

[@Andy-Mesa]

I remember when Matt struggled with Russian Railroads. Now he's basically playing an 18xx. Look how much our boy has grown!

[@charlesmcguffy]

Lockdown has broken his resolve.

[@davidrichter4101]

I was thinking the same thing about Matt's board game preferences! He's really shifted over the past few years and I love it.

[@mikabjorklund3678]

Still waiting for them to properly review Virgin Queen.

[@UnreasonableOpinions]

If the Trans-Siberian Railway is anything to go by, the Russians also struggled with Russian railroads.

[@BHRogert]

When we lost tall hats we lost so much

[@Merusdraconis]

6 inches of height, for one

[@Derek-cw4xr]

Hey Matt, from one internet stranger to another, I hope you’re doing ok. I really felt the pain when you talked about not playing games or seeing people for a year - it’s a crazy, crappy situation. We’re getting there, though. I think/hope that we’re in the home stretch, we just need to hang in. I really think we can make it. Take care of yourself, and thanks for the content. It helps me keep my spirits up.

[@AlgebraAce]

"I thought Chicago was only known for baseball and the television show Cheers." Me, sitting in my escape room in downtown Boston: oh no he didn't Anyway, hope this helps your engagement lol

[@evan448]

Americans everywhere just giggled over that

[@HEMAYATC]

As someone who has been living in Boston for years, I was also offended (but I love him anyways

[@francoislabelle6273]

Wonder if it was on purpose?

[@redflags6583]

Matt's reviews is that frustrated theatre kid that grew up to become a perpetually broke aspiring actor. Half of the time at least. The other half is worm

[@SimonWolfie]

To be fair, he makes a very good worm. Wait, when does the actor end and the worm begins...?

[@imallfordabulls]

Time to kickstart “The Massive Pork Grenade.”

[@volkerklass7741]

Also: Best band name EVER!!!

[@Dave_W861]

The pork grenade is better than the sword...

[@wrightknight5508]

A reboot of Cheers set in Chicago 150 years ago would be a must watch for me, just for the hats alone.

[@markpeterson8141]

I think that would be a winner.

[@RocketSauce666]

Yes, that would be a great show... but it begs the question of whether Brits think Cheers is set in Chicago and not Boston?

[@fairlyodd922]

So glad this was just released for the first time

[@shllybkwrm]

I saw the notification, but didn't get to watch before it was taken down. Did anything change?

[@mattyrellu]

@@shllybkwrm there were just some audio issues

[@andrewp6738]

@@mattyrellu I noticed that, assumed it was on my end.

[@brogansmith1342]

In the space of about 20 seconds, I developed a deep parasocial relationship with Quinton Strings.

[@birb125]

We always get the editing right the first time here in SU&SD

[@MatthewTS]

Ah yes, Cheers: that famous show about a *Chicago* bar.

[@danrabin1784]

The collective groans of Bostonians when Matt said Chicago was known for Cheers lol

[@BLasherman]

Hey Chicago isn't just famous for Baseball or TV's Cheers, they are also known for Beans and chowder and Aerosmith and Patriots Football.........wait......

[@Steevo1977]

Chicago isn't even famous for TVs Cheers. It was set in Boston lol

[@BLasherman]

@@Steevo1977 so the joke flew right over your head then. Sad

[@Steevo1977]

Don't think I meant to comment on your post but yeah I get your joke so don't be sad.

[@malusignatius]

So, my big take is: "SU&SD staff get a gun?"

[@byebyebuy]

It's made of card chits they have to slot together before each review!

[@emmaplaysgreen2849]

Yes, but they're the foam ones from Ca$h N' Guns because it's the UK ;-)

[@malusignatius]

The replies to this have been a Thing of Joy. Thank you.

[@garyv83]

SUSD's Review of City of the Big Shoulders OR How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Matt's Pandemic-Induced Insanity and Loved Puppet Quinns

[@cheddaz86]

"Cool original" was my favorite susd bit until the quinns puppet

[@OtherworldlyOdd]

I can't put my finger on it, but something is different about Quinns in this episode.

[@The_NickTL]

If you thought Quinns was weird, wait until you see Matt.

[@joerg-michajahn4963]

"Cheers" in Chicago, now that was funny. It was set in Boston, Massachusetts. I should know, my now-wife flew back from Boston to Europe on the day of the last Cheers episode, and that was all your saw and heard in Boston Logan Airport. Nice sidekick, BTW. And hang in there!

[@billyhyde1415]

I can't really tell if Matt knew that at the time of making the review or not, and I'm not sure which is funnier.

[@ScytheNoire]

@@billyhyde1415 I had the same thought. I think he's trolling us.

[@modemacabre]

I kept wondering what TV series he was going to go to and almost choked when he hit on Cheers. Must be a joke, right? Chicago, always the second city.

[@wrightknight5508]

The solution is clearly for SU&SD to acquire the license for Cheers and produce a rebooted version set in Chicago.

[@stevenightfall6634]

I was going up and down the comments to make sure someone else said this.

[@sumoallstar827]

Yes! Time for "Shut Up & Squat" with Matt

[@Toasty_93]

I hope Quintin Strings makes more appearances in the future. Heck, maybe one day he could get his own review.

[@mbantick]

Please provide link to “Quinn’s puppet merch”

[@Jessie_Helms]

*speaks negatively about beige* “Do you hear an older British man screaming in the distance?”

[@clisby]

As someone from Chicago this game is a total love letter to the second industrial revolution in the second city. Our history is totally defined by being the Mecca of this event in North America. People who are from Chicago are often very passionate about their love for it, as am I. Come visit again sometime, we’d love to have you

[@dksocal]

I am envisioning a tiny Haymarket riot of angry meeple setting the board on fire.

[@hiramtroche7511]

You had me at Beetle Borgs.

[@carlbutcher2268]

The wobbling full drink glass so close to a boardgame gave me some real anxiety.

[@Morchunkis]

I think he’s been playing this a lot on board game arena

[@prism6]

You can say that again

[@wrightknight5508]

That again

[@stevenightfall6634]

@@wrightknight5508 He can, not you ;)

[@brianpower5868]

I got a big grin when I saw the elgin watch company card at the beginning and excitedly said oh these are real and period/location accurate that's so cool, then you confirmed it. This excited me in a way that makes me feel like I'm becoming a lame old man.

[@luigiscazzari4724]

It's great to see that SUSD is joining the conversation, like NPI, about themes in boardgames like it happened for videogames. Chicago has also a great improv comedy history and a commodity trading centre. By the way, is Quentin Strings related to Pixar's Up Carl Fredericksen?

[@kirbyalex2002]

This is just "Would a depressed man make this?"the board game review

[@tumest]

Those shoulder pads are giving Matt some big Bea Arthur in Golden Girls energy and I am loving it.

[@cacamilis8477]

Don't make me fall in love with you Matt.

[@colvion4407]

"how dare I" 11/10 delivery lmao

[@mechasduo004]

Its been 23 years and this was the best way to hear "Big Bad Beetleborgs" again haha.

[@ezrawalker]

The hair on Quinton Strings is perfect. Just, perfect.

[@Elbiman]

Me, reading the video title: oh boy, I sure hope someone in this video has ridiculously high shoulders Matt, 9 seconds in: i got you 🤷‍♂️

[@elfknight8045]

Love the Wallace and Gromit reference! Also, Matt as big shoulder fat cat at the beginning looked like an Abraham Lincoln cosplay.

[@CaptainHoers]

There's something kind of magnetic about Ava's way with words and delivery that's very relaxing to listen to, especially next to the manic insanity that is the rest of SU&SD. I think it's a pleasant contrast

[@mrmorganmusic]

His funny mumbling of the Cheers theme song is really quite accurate musically.

[@ssssanzo]

Nice! I really like the color grading work on the intro!

[@emmaplaysgreen2849]

Mad props to whoever created the mad mad prop that is Mr. Quintin Strings! What a wonderful crafting creation that is, I hop we see more of him in future SUSD reviews and possibly other puppets too. On a even more personal note, I do hope that you and your wife are due to be vaccinated soon Matt, so that you can both venture out safely once again. I know that you have been shielding at home for such a long time now and that must take a toll on you both, I think it has on most of us, but it's not always easy to talk about. Thank you for showing that side of you in the video, even though it was just a brief glimpse, it was enough. Enough to let people know that it's OK to not be OK in these turbulent times. At the start of this we would talk about when things 'will get back to normal' but now it's been so long that our world has been changed forever by this. We can't go back, it will be a very different world that we will re-enter when things open up again. The one thing that I know though is that we will need to work together more than ever and the support of friends, families and our communities, just like the one that the team has worked so hard to create and foster. Much love and best wishes to all of the team and their families and the SUSD community.

[@benjoslin3782]

That “big shoulder” reveal at the beginning totally killed me. 😂

[@MrLordDorfmann]

we’ve entered the puppet phase of quarentine

[@rickypaco1000]

Imagine robots doing SU&SD Haha that would be crazy So glad they aren’t robots So glad- Sees that Matt can’t say pork based products *sweats nervously*

[@tahunuva4254]

BEAUTIFUL SHOES DETECTED

[@lachlanalbert9280]

Thanks, Matt, now I have the Big Bad Beetleborgs theme song stuck in my head.

[@briang9633]

Re: becoming a spreadsheet person- a year inside will really f with your mind! Cheers was Boston though!

[@waffala]

As someone who also thought they'd never be this person, google sheets can be surprisingly fun. I feel you Matt.

[@myc24]

I was very hopeful that at the end of Matt humming the theme song, Quinton Strings was going to say, “Cheers was set in Boston though”. Would’ve been a strong joke to end on.

[@Andalosity]

Not a lot of people can pull of a top hat, but Matt looks surprisingly good.

[@cesarsegovia1950]

Loved the Quinns puppet, definetly the star of the show, please bring it back on future videos.

[@Arcadio89]

That ending...The puppet made laugh so hard 🤣

[@calebmarston4729]

I really liked the power grid stock companies expansion. This looks like a game which was designed around the stock market mechanic, which is very exciting.

[@mazi8421]

Nice to see all three of them togheter in a video again.

[@KarmaAdjuster]

I want so much more of Mr. Quintin Strings.

[@marcusmaxon4033]

Sorry for this but: Cheers takes place in Boston

[@colin553]

I love a review that prompts me to ask "is Matt okay?"

[@uncleanexecution]

That Quinns puppet is amazing. Now we just need a puppet for Matt, and a puppet for everyone else, and then we can just replace all the humans with puppets and SU&SD will be 200% better.

[@notgeoff799]

Puppet? DO you mean Quinns? Next you'll try to tell me that wasn't Tom Broomster in the video.

[@joshuabolt7800]

THIS IS GONNA BE A RIDE, I CAN ALREADY TELL

[@houdini329]

I'm so hyped for the second edition kickstarter!

[@davidk6269]

Greatings from Chicago! I am so glad that you reviewed this game! FYI, the television show "Cheers" was based in Boston. ; )

[@brianphelps2415]

In my head canon that's the reason why they privitized the video but then decided to reupload it anyway

[@BLasherman]

Yeah and Chicago isn't known for baseball either. He was making a joke.

[@DuGStp]

I’m from Elgin Illinois. Glad to see we made it in a Board game.

[@jamesodwyer4181]

The puppet was unexpected and amazing. Bravo for a most entertaining review

[@TuffGhostFated]

I'm furious Matt didn't keep the shoulder pads in for the whole video

[@foxtrotdelta225]

ITS 4 IN THE MORNING, WHY?!

[@jinkim0513]

You talked about how this is a game enjoyed by those who like spread sheets and that immediately sold me on it.

[@helxis]

18xx players often maintain spreadsheets during the game in order to speed up the play and give a view of how everyone is performing in the economy. It didn't even sound fun to me, but I still took the dive and have loved it. If it *already* sounds fun to you, these are the games for you.

[@clyde2599]

One of your best reviews Mr. Lees. I take my top hat's off to you, sir!

[@petrbroz7145]

Stellar. Fantastic work!

[@zenosAnalytic]

idk I think the replenishment makes sense thematically. Think about it like supply&demand; the more finished goods companies want resources, the more resource-producers produce.

[@georgiisechkin4516]

nice review! I like very end of the video while one's head appear behind Matt's shoulder, exactly at the "loneliness" speech

[@2dskillz]

Stellar Review, also where do I buy my own Quinton Strings?

[@scottcameron174]

Fantastic video as always y'all continue to outdo yourself!

[@LauReXyLL]

It's great that SUSD is stepping out of their comfort zone.

[@why.n0t261]

we were all pushed out of your comfort zone one year ago...

[@Leenetherton21]

Matt reviews are just the best

[@jessecunningham9924]

We want more Quintin Strings!

[@maticf6513]

Amazing review as always :)

[@johngardner9052]

"I really quite like messing around in Google Sheets, doing stuff…." Same, Matt, same...

[@gooddaysgames_1252]

I used to be indecisive. But now I'm not so sure...

[@d.aardent9382]

Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! I laughed...i cried. Beckoned us to the lofty jaunty heights of prosperity and bum-rushed us to the terrible sadness of true raw life of loss and failure in the late 19th century. All with the feel of a episode of monty python where absurdity is eclipsed by irony while also being educated on a stoic , possibly complicated game that gave a lot of clarity on how it would be to play.

[@theserb102]

12:50 i felt that

[@aclabonte]

I was wondering why nobody was bringing this up. I think we are all Matt, a bit, lately. Hang in there, everyone.

[@helxis]

Now imagine mashing all of the complexity of this economy into a game where you also have to competently and competitively build routes in order to actually make those companies perform, and you've got 18xx. Speaking of, I wholeheartedly agree that games this fiddley and mathy are best enjoyed in digital form. There are a ton of 18xx games available to play for free over at 18xx.games, which I can't recommend highly enough.

[@rongamble8930]

I know Ray, and he told me he wanted "City" to be a Euro 18XX game. I think he succeeded, but I've only played one 18XX.

[@alexarnon]

I wholeheartedly disagree - they are best enjoyed face to face! However, do go to 18xx.games, it is smashing :)

[@KZsZs]

I love you Matt! I want to push cubes with you and buy shares in your company! Hang in there!

[@42thursday42]

I dearly hope we get a visit from Quintin Strings at the next SHUX, when such things become possible again.

[@jjasghar]

I feel like there should be an excel spreadsheet with this game.

[@kiruppert]

19:55 Wait, Matt has a badge? WHO GAVE MATT A GUN?!

[@AhJong0]

Love the review, not interested in playing this but great to hear about it 👍

[@pb81684]

So much love for these reviews and it looks like an interesting game. Hate to be that guy that points out Cheers was set in Boston though :( Can't wait for the pandemic to be in control enough to see the team doing shared reviews again.

[@tomcooper4841]

That was clearly a joke.

[@jeffmcarthur5617]

It was around the time that this game is reflecting in Chicago when engineers in the city literally reversed the direction of the Chicago River. It was literally one of the greatest feats of engineering in human history. Also, Cheers happened in Boston.

[@andrewmartin3671]

Forgive the woooosh, you have to know that Chicago isn't known for baseball to know that the Cheers reference isn't a mistake.

[@grizogi]

tfw you thought City of the Big Shoulders was the susd joke name for a game probably called Chicago Traders but actually it's the real name of the game

[@HectorLowe]

('Cheers' was set in Boston.)

[@burghman8000]

This is a genre game made for people who understand the stock markets and how certain industries work to be fun. I want to play axis and allies or some other 10 hour game

[@drstclair]

If you liked this, don't be intimidated by 18xx. In many aspects, it's a simpler, but deeper system with lots of variety in their own individual games as well as through minor rules changes. Might I recommend 18Chesapeake, 1889, or jumping right into 1830 for first games, all available on the clean 18xx.games website!

[@golgarisoul]

*white hot pickle* Is it wrong that I PERFECTLY understand this analogy? lol

[@ThreeDogsTraining]

Brits drinking beer out of measuring cups. Dogs and cats living together!

[@dlgcp]

Always great to see Matt and Quinns collaborate on a vid together. Wait...wut?

[@captainron7120]

Matt is the master of intros

[@TheGamingWard]

I do love a good Beetleborgs reference.