City of Remnants (2013) Board Game

City of Remnants is a board game released in 2013, designed by JJ Ariosa and Peter Wocken. It is a game that combines elements of dice rolling, economic strategy, and territory building in a science fiction setting. Players take on the roles of rival gang leaders competing for control of the city of Esperanza, a once thriving metropolis now in a state of chaos and ruin.

Game Components of City of Remnants

Player mats and miniatures: Each player has 7 plastic miniatures representing their gang members.

Development tiles: Used to build and control areas of the city.

Black market cards: Special items and abilities for gang members.

Gang member cards: Each with battle values and boosts.

Yugai patrol tokens: Representing the alien patrols that players must navigate.

Battle dice: Used for resolving combat.

Renown tokens: Victory points awarded throughout the game.

Board: Depicting the city controlled by the Yugai alien race.

How To Setup City of Remnants

To set up the game, each player selects a player mat and places their 7 gang member miniatures on it. The board is laid out, and development tiles are shuffled and placed face down on designated spaces. Black market cards are also shuffled and placed within reach of all players. Yugai patrol tokens are set aside to be used during the game. Each player starts with a hand of cards based on their influence level, which begins at 4 but can be increased to 7.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Deck-building: Players recruit gang members and buy items from the black market to enhance their deck.

Area control: Players move their gang members to control different areas of the city.

Dice rolling: Used in combat to determine battle outcomes.

Bidding: Players bid for gang members and developments.

Resource management: Managing resources to build developments and attack other gangs.

Game Objective

Players aim to gain renown by controlling developments, defeating other gangs, and navigating Yugai patrols.

The game ends when 200 renown have been collected, and the player with the highest total renown wins.

Player Experience

In **City of Remnants**, players take on the roles of gang leaders vying for dominance in a city controlled by the powerful alien race, the Yugai. The game requires a balance of strategy and tactical decision-making, as players must manage their resources, build their deck, and navigate the dangers posed by both other gangs and the Yugai patrols. The game’s blend of mechanics makes it engaging and challenging, with each round consisting of multiple phases that include resetting hands, taking individual turns, and resolving patrol encounters.

Pros

Multi-layered gameplay: Combines deck-building, area control, and dice rolling in a unique way.

High replayability: Random patrol encounters and varied card draws ensure no two games are the same.

Thematic consistency: The game’s gritty, sci-fi theme is well-integrated into its mechanics and components.

Strategic depth: Requires careful planning and resource management.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a steep learning curve due to its multiple mechanics and phases.

Component overload: The initial setup involves many components, which can be overwhelming.

Dice haters beware: Combat involves dice rolling, which may not appeal to all players.

Visual design: The board’s design is somewhat lacking in excitement compared to the development tiles.

Personal Thoughts on City of Remnants

**City of Remnants** is a game that slowly reveals its brilliance, making it a slow-burning hit rather than an immediate sensation. It is ideal for players who enjoy strategic depth, deck-building, and area control. The game’s thematic elements, such as the distinct play styles of the gangs and the deadly card-and-dice combat, will appeal to fans of sci-fi and gang warfare themes. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer straightforward, light-hearted games or have an aversion to complex setups and dice rolling.

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