Big City is a city-building board game designed by Franz Vohwinkel and originally released in in 1999. In this game, players take on the role of urban planners competing to build the most successful city. The game features a modular board and tile placement mechanics, allowing for a different city layout each time you play.
Game Components of Big City
Plastic bits: Wonderful and detailed, including various types of buildings such as residential, commercial, parks, factories, and special buildings like shopping centers, cinemas, banks, post offices, churches, and City Hall.Cards: Players acquire cards in eight different ‘neighborhoods’ that correspond to specific building sites.Neighborhood tiles: These tiles are numbered and correspond to the deck of cards, guiding where buildings can be constructed.Markers: Used to track progress, such as whether City Hall has been built.
How To Setup Big City
To set up the game, each player starts with one randomly drawn card from the first five decks. The initial player board is formed by combining the “one” neighborhood with the “two,” “three,” and “four” neighborhoods. This setup creates the base city area where players will begin building.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Card Play: Players play cards from their hand to build buildings in corresponding neighborhoods.Building Types: Initially, only residential and commercial buildings can be built. Other types, including parks, factories, special buildings, and streetcars, become available after City Hall is built.City Hall: Must be built in the city center, and its construction unlocks additional building types.Scoring: Points are scored based on the size and type of buildings constructed. Additional points can be earned through bonuses.Game Phases: Each round consists of three phases: discarding useless cards, taking one of six possible actions, and refilling the hand to five cards.Endgame Conditions: The game ends when all players pass without taking an active action or when all legal building spots are filled.
Player Experience
In **Big City**, players engage in strategic planning and resource management as they acquire and play cards to build and expand their city. The game has two distinct phases: before and after the construction of City Hall, each with its own set of building opportunities and challenges. This dichotomy adds depth and variety to the gameplay experience.
Pros
Detailed Components: The game includes high-quality, detailed plastic bits that enhance the gameplay experience.Strategic Depth: The card mechanics and the two-phase structure offer a rich and engaging strategy.City-Building Theme: Players enjoy the thematic aspect of building and developing a city.
Cons
Complexity: The game can be complex, especially for new players, due to the various building types and rules.Length: The game’s duration can vary significantly, which may not appeal to players looking for shorter games.
Personal Thoughts on Big City
**Big City** is ideal for fans of city-building and strategy games. It is suited for players who enjoy complex, thematic games and are willing to invest time in learning and mastering the rules. The game’s detailed components and deep strategic mechanics make it a great choice for those seeking a challenging and rewarding experience. However, it may not be the best fit for casual players or those new to strategy board games due to its complexity and potential length.
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