City Hall (2014) Board Game – Board Game Guys

City Hall is a board game designed by Ariel Seoane and published by Tasty Minstrel Games in in 2014. The game is centered around city building and political themes, where players compete to become the Mayor by earning the most victory points through clever strategies and political maneuvering.

Game Components of City Hall

Staffers (meeples)

Influence tokens

Money cards

Building cards

Land deeds

Population and approval tracks

Office spaces on the board (tax assessor, surveyor, campaign manager, lobbyist, zoning board, deputy, etc.)

Special endorsement cards

How To Setup City Hall

To set up, each player receives a supply of staffers, influence tokens, money, and building cards. The play order is randomly determined, with the last player in turn order receiving additional influence. Players then draft two starting land deeds, with each unchosen deed being “sweetened” with extra money. Each player places one of their building cards on one of their starting deeds and positions one staffer on the first space of both the population and approval tracks.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Role-Selection/Auction Mechanics: Players select unactivated offices in city hall and other players bid influence to control these offices.

Influence Economy: Influence is the main currency, with a semi-closed system where influence primarily changes hands among players.

Building and Population Management: Players manage building construction and population growth to increase votes.

Special Endorsements: Players can earn special endorsements worth 10 votes each, based on conditions like most money or most influence.

Game Objective: The player with the most votes, calculated by (population x approval rating) + special endorsements, is elected mayor and wins the game.

Player Experience

City Hall is known for its tense and interactive gameplay. The auctions are the heart of the game, requiring players to weigh their decisions carefully about when to bid, when to feint, and how to manage their influence. This game is not a solitary affair; players must constantly engage with each other’s actions, making each turn filled with strategic considerations.

Pros

Tense and Interactive: The auction mechanism keeps players invested throughout the game.

Strategic Depth: Players must balance short-term and long-term strategies to manage influence and resources effectively.

Clear Components: The board layout and money cards are particularly well-designed.

Cons

Limited Influence Influx: The game’s influence economy can be challenging, with a small influx of new influence each round.

Visual Aesthetics: The board and components, while functional, are described as somewhat drab and boring.

Difficulty in Finding Players: The game’s theme and mechanics can make it hard to convince others to play.

Personal Thoughts on City Hall

City Hall is for players who enjoy strategic, competitive games with deep role-selection and auction mechanics. It is ideal for those who appreciate the intricacies of managing resources and influence in a dynamic environment. However, its theme and visual appeal might not excite everyone, making it a harder sell for some gaming groups. If you’re looking for a game that challenges your strategic thinking and offers a lot of player interaction, City Hall could be an excellent addition to your collection.

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