Ginkgopolis (2012) Board Game

Ginkgopolis is a city-building board game designed by Xavier Georges and released in 2012 by Pearl Games. The game combines elements of environmental and science fiction themes, allowing players to compete for control over a futuristic cityscape.

Game Components of Ginkgopolis

60 Building tiles

100 cards

125 wooden resources

10 New Hand tokens

12 Urbanization tokens

5 screens

Tokens for success points

15 Construction Site pawns

1 rulebook.

How To Setup Ginkgopolis

To set up Ginkgopolis, players start by preparing the game board and distributing the necessary components. Each player chooses a screen to manage their resources and cards. The building tiles, cards, and wooden resources are placed within reach of all players. The urbanization tokens and construction site pawns are also set up according to the rules outlined in the rulebook. The objective is to ensure each player has a balanced starting point to begin building their vertical city.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Area Majority / Influence

Layering

Card Drafting

Simultaneous Action Selection

Tile Placement

Solo / Solitaire Game.

Game Objective:

The goal of Ginkgopolis is to become the best urban planner by building a city that maintains a delicate balance between resource production and consumption. Players gather a team of experts, use card drafting to acquire resources, and layer tiles to build upwards, managing scarce habitable space. The game ends when all tiles have been placed, and the player with the most success points, earned through efficient city building and resource management, is declared the winner.

Player Experience

In Ginkgopolis, players embark on a strategic journey to build a futuristic city in harmony with nature. The game combines competitive elements with a unique blend of card drafting, area control, and engine building, offering a one-of-a-kind gameplay experience. Players must balance short-term needs with long-term strategies, making it engaging for both adults and kids.

Pros

Unique Mechanics: Combines card drafting, area control, and engine building for a unique experience.

Strategic Depth: Offers a challenging yet rewarding gameplay experience.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 10 and above, making it a great family game.

Solo Option: Includes a solitaire mode for solo players.

Cons

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

Steep Learning Curve: New players may need several games to fully understand the mechanics.

Dependant on Player Count: The game’s dynamics can change significantly based on the number of players.

Personal Thoughts on Ginkgopolis

Ginkgopolis is perfect for fans of city-building and environmental themes, as well as those who enjoy strategic and layered gameplay. It is ideal for families looking for a game that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, and its solo mode makes it a great option for those who prefer playing alone. However, due to its complexity, it may not be the best fit for very casual gamers or those new to board games. Overall, Ginkgopolis offers a rich and challenging experience that rewards careful planning and strategic thinking.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.