If you're a fan of Brass: Birmingham or exploring alternative options, you're likely drawn to its intricate economic strategies, rich historical setting, and high player interaction. Whether you're an experienced board gamer or a casual player looking to dive deeper into the world of complex games, this list is for you.

Here are 20 board games that capture the essence of Brass: Birmingham in various ways, offering similar themes, mechanics, and strategic depth.

👉 Read our Brass: Birmingham review here. (spoiler - it is great!).

Disclosure: This article is not a review. It is a quick overview of these games. The article includes games based on our own opinions. We have played some of the games, but not all of them. The games are not sorted in any particular order. If you want to learn more about a particular game, click on the included links!

Saw a mistake? We are just human, and some errors can happen. If you saw a mistake in the article, let us know in the comments below or send us a message.

Simpler Alternative Board Games to Brass: Birmingham

Brass: Lancashire

Gameplay Mechanics: Economic strategy, networking, and resource management

Thematic Elements: Industrial Revolution in Lancashire

Player Interaction: High, with competition and reliance on opponents

Theme and Playability: Brass: Lancashire is the "little brother" of Brass: Birmingham having simpler rules, and better mechanics for two-player games. It immerses you in the Industrial Revolution, focusing on the economic and industrial growth in Lancashire. The game's historical context adds depth, allowing players to experience the challenges and opportunities of the era.

Strong Points: The game's strategic complexity and high player interaction make each session engaging and dynamic. The tight competition for resources and network building ensures no two games are alike.

Weak Points: Overall, considered to be the lesser version of Brass: Birmingham, but with easier rules, so it might be a better choice for more casual players.

Personal Opinion: Given that Brass: Birmingham exists, I would go with that version, but if you (or your friends) are more of a casual player, then Brass: Lancashire can be a great option.

Age of Industry

Gameplay Mechanics: Economic strategy, resource management, and route building

Thematic Elements: Industrialization and economic growth

Player Interaction: High, with competition for resources and market positions

Why You'll Like It: Designed by Martin Wallace, offering a similar feel with different dynamics.

Theme and Playability: Age of Industry focuses on the growth and industrialization of different regions, with players developing industries and managing resources to maximize profits. The game's theme is well-integrated, providing a realistic and immersive experience.

Strong Points: The streamlined mechanics make it accessible while maintaining strategic depth. Quicker playthrough than Brass: Birmingham or Lancashire.

Weak Points: Simpler than Brass: Lancashire and not as lavish production. The game might feel repetitive after several plays, and the competition for resources can be intense, potentially leading to frustration.

Personal Opinion: The Age of Industry is even more streamlined than Brass: Lancashire, and it does not have the same production value ar Brass games, but it plays quicker, and it has some key gameplay differences, so it can be an alternative to Brass games, or a starting point before moving to Brass games.

Alternative Board Games to Brass: Birmingham, if You Enjoy Economic & Resource Management Games

Power Grid

Gameplay Mechanics: Auction, network building, and resource management

Thematic Elements: Energy production and distribution

Player Interaction: Moderate to high, with competitive bidding and resource scarcity

Why You'll Like It: Complex economic strategy and network management, ideal for fans of strategic depth.

Theme and Playability: Power Grid takes you into the world of energy production, where you must efficiently manage your resources and expand your network to power cities. The theme is engaging, with realistic economic challenges and strategic planning.

Strong Points: The auction phase adds tension and excitement, while the resource management aspect requires careful planning and foresight. The game's balance between competition and strategy keeps it consistently challenging.

Weak Points: The game can be slow-paced, especially with larger groups, and the complex rules might be daunting for beginners.

Coal Baron (Glück Auf)

Gameplay Mechanics: Worker placement, resource management, and production

Thematic Elements: Coal mining industry

Player Interaction: Moderate, with competition for action spaces

Why You'll Like It: Thematic and strategic depth with a focus on industry, reminiscent of Brass.

Theme and Playability: Coal Baron immerses players in the coal mining industry, where they must manage their workforce and resources to fulfill contracts. The game's theme is well-executed, providing a realistic and engaging experience.

Strong Points: The blend of resource management and strategic planning makes for compelling gameplay. The pressure to optimize coal production and fulfill contracts adds excitement and challenge.

Weak Points: The game might feel less dynamic with fewer players, and the competition for action spaces can be fierce, potentially leading to frustration.

Personal Opinion: The blend of resource management and strategic planning makes it a compelling game. Also, the industrial era can be a bonus, if you like Brass: Birmingham.

The Gallerist

Gameplay Mechanics: Worker placement, economic management, and set collection

Thematic Elements: Art gallery management

Player Interaction: Moderate, with competition for art and actions

Why You'll Like It: Economic strategy with a unique theme and high replayability.

Theme and Playability: The Gallerist places you in the shoes of an art gallery manager, balancing the acquisition, promotion, and sale of artwork. The theme is both unique and immersive, providing a fresh experience compared to more traditional economic games.

Strong Points: The combination of worker placement and economic management creates a rich strategic environment. The game's aesthetic appeal, with stunning artwork and high-quality components, enhances the thematic experience.

Weak Points: The rules can be complex and might require a couple of plays to fully grasp. The game's depth and intricacies can be overwhelming for newcomers.

Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization

Gameplay Mechanics: Civilization building, resource management, and technology advancement

Thematic Elements: Development of a civilization from ancient times to the modern age

Player Interaction: Moderate to high, with competition for technologies and leaders

Why You'll Like It: Deep strategic gameplay with complex resource and technology management.

Theme and Playability: Through the Ages guides players through the evolution of a civilization, managing resources, developing technologies, and expanding influence. The game's epic scope and historical depth make it a captivating experience.

Strong Points: The strategic layers and the satisfaction of building a thriving civilization are unparalleled. The game offers endless replayability with numerous paths to victory.

Weak Points: The game's length and complexity might be daunting for some players. It requires significant time investment and planning.

Personal Opinion: This game offers an epic journey through history. The strategic layers and the satisfaction of building a thriving civilization are unparalleled. Although "Through the Ages" is quite different from Brass: Birmingham, its theme and complex yet rewarding mechanisms could be appreciated by Brass fans.

Terra Mystica

Gameplay Mechanics: Area control, resource management, and strategic planning.

Thematic Elements: Fantasy world with different factions.

Player Interaction: High, with competition for territory and resources

Why You'll Like It: Strategic depth and unique faction abilities make for an engaging experience.

Theme and Playability: Terra Mystica transports players to a fantasy world where different factions vie for control of the land. The asymmetric factions provide unique abilities and strategies, ensuring each game feels different.

Strong Points: The tight competition for territory and resources keeps the game exciting from start to finish. The strategic depth and variety of factions offer endless replayability.

Weak Points: The game can be challenging to learn and master, especially with the varying abilities of each faction. The setup and playtime might be lengthy.

Personal Opinion: The asymmetric factions provide endless replayability. The tight competition for territory and resources might be great selling points if you are looking for a Brass: Birmingham alternative.

Viticulture

Gameplay Mechanics: Income, Worker placement, resource management, and card drafting.

Thematic Elements: Wine production in Tuscany.

Player Interaction: Moderate, with competition for actions and resources.

Why You'll Like It: Engaging theme with strategic depth and beautiful components.

Theme and Playability: Viticulture transports players to the picturesque vineyards of Tuscany, where they must manage their workers, cultivate grapes, and produce wine. The game's theme is both engaging and relaxing, providing a unique experience in the worker placement genre.

Strong Points: The strategic depth and thematic immersion are enhanced by beautiful components and artwork. The game's mechanics are well-balanced, providing a rewarding experience for players.

Weak Points: The game might feel slower-paced compared to more intense economic games. The luck of the draw in the card drafting phase can occasionally impact strategy.

Personal Opinion: Although quite different from Brass games, Viticulture is a well-received economic game, and it has plenty of expansions, so it can be a good alternative to Brass: Birmingham if you like managing your income and economy.

Food Chain Magnate

Gameplay Mechanics: Economic management, worker placement, and strategic planning.

Thematic Elements: Fast food chain management.

Player Interaction: High, with intense competition for customers and resources.

Why You'll Like It: Deep economic strategy with a unique and engaging theme.

Theme and Playability: Food Chain Magnate places you in charge of a fast food empire, where you must hire staff, manage resources, and outmaneuver competitors to dominate the market. The theme is both unique and engaging, providing a fresh take on economic strategy games.

Strong Points: The game's depth and strategic complexity are its major strengths. The high level of competition and the need for careful planning make each game a thrilling challenge.

Weak Points: The steep learning curve and the potential for early mistakes to impact the entire game can be frustrating for new players. The game's length might be a deterrent for those looking for a quicker play.

Alternative Board Games to Brass: Birmingham, if You Enjoy Connection Mechanism

Ticket to Ride

Gameplay Mechanics: Route building, card drafting.

Thematic Elements: Railroad network expansion.

Player Interaction: Medium, with competition for routes and cards.

Why You'll Like It: Simple, strait-forward rules, network-building gameplay.

Theme and Playability: Ticket to Ride lets you act out your railroad tycoon fantasies by building the largest railroad network in the region.

Strong Points: Simple, engaging rules make it a great gateway board game for many casual players.

Weak Points: Many players consider it to be too simple for their taste.

Read our Ticket to Ride Review here.

Railways of the World

Gameplay Mechanics: Route building, pick-up and deliver, and economic management.

Thematic Elements: Expansion of railroads in various historical settings.

Player Interaction: High, with competition for routes and deliveries.

Why You'll Like It: Engaging economic and network-building gameplay with a historical twist.

Theme and Playability: Railways of the World transports players to the era of railroad expansion, where they must build networks and deliver goods efficiently. The historical setting adds richness to the gameplay, making it educational and entertaining.

Strong Points: The variety of maps keeps the game fresh, offering different strategic challenges each session. The route-building and delivery mechanics are engaging and rewarding.

Weak Points: The game can be lengthy, especially with more players, and the initial setup might be time-consuming.

Clans of Caledonia

Gameplay Mechanics: Economic management, resource production, and network building.

Thematic Elements: Scottish highlands during industrialization.

Player Interaction: Moderate, with competition for resources and market positions

Why You'll Like It: Engaging economic gameplay with a historical theme and strategic depth.

Theme and Playability: Clans of Caledonia transports players to the Scottish Highlands during the Industrial Revolution, where they must manage resources, trade, and expand their clans. The historical theme adds depth and richness to the gameplay.

Strong Points: The game's balance of economic management and strategic depth is impressive. The historical setting and thematic elements enhance the overall experience.

Weak Points: The game might feel complex for beginners due to its multiple interlocking systems. The competition for resources can be intense, leading to potential frustration.

Personal Opinion: Being a very different game from Brass: Birmingham, Clans of Caledonia has many similar mechanisms. Like, network building, income, and resource management, so it can be a great alternative. It also has a single-player mode, which Brass: Birmingham does not have.

Great Western Trail

Gameplay Mechanics: Deck building, route building, and resource management.

Thematic Elements: Cattle herding and trade in the American West.

Player Interaction: Moderate, with competition for routes and actions

Why You'll Like It: Engaging blend of mechanics with strategic depth and thematic richness.

Theme and Playability: The Great Western Trail takes players on a journey through the American West, managing cattle herds and navigating the challenges of trade and transportation. The theme is rich and immersive, providing a unique experience.

Strong Points: The blend of deck building and route building mechanics adds depth and variety. The game's strategic elements and thematic richness make each session engaging and memorable.

Weak Points: The complexity of managing multiple mechanics might be challenging for new players. The game's length can also be a barrier for those looking for shorter play sessions.

Personal Opinion: An engaging blend of mechanics and resource management makes it a good candidate for Brass: Birmingham alternative.

Conclusion

Brass: Birmingham is an excellent economic, network-building board game (our review here), so looking for an alternative might not be so simple, but we hope you found this list of top board games similar to Brass: Birmingham helpful and inspiring. If you're ready to expand your board game collection, visit our website for more board game recommendations and reviews. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on board games, exclusive content, and special offers.

We'd love to hear from you! Share your favorite board games and your experiences in the comments below. Which game from this list are you most excited to try?

Want a more straightforward card game to play with your friends?

The Spheres of Life: Mythical Forest is a competitive fantasy card game for 2-7 Players. Learn to play within 20 minutes, set up in 5 minutes, and play in 20-30 minutes!