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City (1988) Board Game

ByMichail

City is a board game released in 1988 by Jumbo. It is an economic game that can be played by 2-6 players, with a runtime of about 30 minutes. The game is designed for players aged 8 and above, and involves the mechanism of Roll/Spin and Move.

Game Components of City

  • Game board showing an overhead view of a city’s shopping district
  • Special die
  • 6 “customer” pawns (one black, 2 blue, 3 brown) per player
  • A “thief” pawn (red) per player
  • Marker and 12 tokens in the player’s color

    How To Setup City

    To set up *City*, players take possession of shops on the board. Each player chooses their pawns and places them on designated starting positions. The game includes fingerprint and hideout cards, but these are not relevant to *City*; instead, players focus on distributing their customer and thief pawns. The game board is laid out, and each player receives their tokens and markers.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Game Phase 1:** Players take possession of shops on the board.
  • Game Phase 2:** Players move one of their pawns each turn using the special die.
  • Earning Money:** If a pawn ends up in front of a shop owned by another player, the shop owner earns money.
  • Thief Mechanic:** If the thief pawn ends up in front of another player’s shop, the shop owner loses money.
  • Upgrading Shops:** Players can spend money to enhance their shops, increasing their profits.
  • Objective:** The first player to reach the top of the “Ladder of Success” by accumulating the most profits wins the game.

    Player Experience

    *City* offers a blend of strategy and luck, with strong player interaction. Players must balance acquiring shops, upgrading them, and moving their pawns strategically to maximize earnings. The game is praised for its simple yet engaging rules, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

    Pros

  • Strong player interaction
  • Opportunities for planning and vindictive strategies
  • Simple and quick-to-learn rules
  • High-quality game materials
  • Suitable for 2-6 players

    Cons

  • Some reviewers suggest the game could be more exciting with additional mechanics, such as using two dice instead of one
  • Limited combinations for players who throw the die, as only one pawn can be moved per turn

    Personal Thoughts on City

    *City* is ideal for those who enjoy economic strategy games with a social twist. It’s a great fit for families or groups of friends looking for a game that combines luck and strategic thinking. While it may not be as complex as some modern board games, its simplicity and interactive elements make it a fun and engaging experience for players of various skill levels.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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