City of Horror (2012) Board Game

City of Horror is a board game released in 2012 by Repos Production. Designed by Nicolas Normandon and featuring artwork by Miguel Coimbra, the game falls under the horror genre with a focus on negotiation and zombies. With a runtime of 90 minutes and suitable for players aged 13 and above, City of Horror can accommodate 3 to 6 players.

Game Components of City of Horror

Game board

Character cards

Zombie tokens

Negotiation cards

Resource tokens

Dice

How To Setup City of Horror

To set up City of Horror, players first place the game board in the middle of the table, representing the city under siege. Each player chooses a character and takes the corresponding character card, which outlines their abilities and starting resources. The zombie tokens are placed according to the setup rules, and each player receives a set of negotiation cards. The game starts with a scenario setup, where players are introduced to the initial zombie invasion and their first survival challenges.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Semi-Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together to survive but also have individual objectives that may conflict with the group’s goal.

Negotiation Mechanics: Players use negotiation cards to form alliances, trade resources, and blackmail each other.

Resource Management: Players manage resources such as food, medical supplies, and tools to keep their characters alive.

Zombie Management: Players must fend off zombie attacks and manage the spreading zombie horde.

Objective: The primary goal is for the group to survive the zombie apocalypse, but individual players also have secret objectives that may require them to betray others.

Player Experience

City of Horror is known for its cutthroat gameplay, where players constantly connive and negotiate to achieve their objectives. The game quickly devolves into blackmail and threats, making it a thrilling experience for those who enjoy semi-cooperative games. Players must balance their individual goals with the need to cooperate to survive the zombie threat.

Pros

Engaging Negotiations: The negotiation mechanics add a layer of social interaction and strategy.

High Replayability: The game includes multiple scenarios and character abilities, ensuring each playthrough is unique.

Thematic Immersion: The zombie apocalypse theme is well-executed, immersing players in a desperate survival situation.

Cons

Complex Setup: The initial setup can be time-consuming and complex.

Conflict Over Cooperation: Some players may find the semi-cooperative aspect too competitive, leading to resentment.

Luck of the Draw: The game involves dice rolling and card draws, which can introduce elements of luck that may not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on City of Horror

City of Horror is ideal for players who enjoy semi-cooperative games and are comfortable with a high level of social interaction and negotiation. It is not for the faint of heart, as the game can become quite competitive and cutthroat. If you relish the idea of forming temporary alliances, blackmailing your friends, and surviving against overwhelming odds, City of Horror is the perfect addition to your game collection. However, if you prefer purely cooperative games or are sensitive to player conflict, you might want to look elsewhere.

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