High Rise (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

High Rise is a city-building board game released in 2020, designed by Kwanchai Moriya and published by Formal Ferret Games. The game allows players to compete against each other to construct the tallest and most prestigious skyscrapers in a bustling city.

Game Components of High Rise

Game Board: Represents the city with various boroughs.

Building Components: Includes skyscrapers, extensions, and other structural elements, notably enhanced in the UltraPlastic Edition.

Resources: Various materials and supplies, some of which are drawn from a bag.

Corruption Track: A mechanism to track players’ corruption levels.

Tenant Cards: Provide special abilities and benefits.

How To Setup High Rise

To set up High Rise, players start by preparing the game board, which features different boroughs of the city. Each player selects their starting resources and sets up their player board. The corruption track and resource bags are also prepared. The game includes a neutral player mechanism for lower player counts, which is integrated into the setup.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Management: Players manage resources to build skyscrapers.

Action Selection: Players choose actions to acquire resources, build structures, or take corruption to gain advantages.

Corruption Mechanism: Taking corruption allows for more flexibility but incurs penalties, especially if a player takes more corruption than others.

Building Construction: Skyscrapers are built and placed in the city, with taller buildings scoring more points.

Tenant Attraction: Players attract tenants to gain special abilities.

Objective: The primary goal is to build the tallest and most valuable skyscrapers while managing corruption levels.

Player Experience

Playing High Rise is an engaging and visually stunning experience. The game is known for its tactile and spectacular components, with metal skyscrapers that add a three-dimensional element to the game. The gameplay is fast-paced, with turns taking mere moments, making it feel dynamic and interactive. The game supports 1-4 players, with the optimal experience often cited as 3 players due to increased competition and board congestion.

Pros

Visual Appeal: The game’s components, especially the skyscrapers, are highly detailed and visually impressive.

Dynamic Gameplay: Fast-paced turns and multiple strategies keep the game engaging.

Replayability: The game offers significant replayability due to its player-driven economy and action selection mechanisms.

Tactile Experience: Building and placing skyscrapers is satisfying and hands-on.

Cons

Player Count Issues: The game is less engaging with 2 players due to reduced pressure and competition.

Initial Intimidation: The game’s complexity can be overwhelming at first glance, though it becomes manageable quickly.

Personal Thoughts on High Rise

High Rise is ideal for players who enjoy complex economic and building games with a touch of strategy and risk management. It’s perfect for those who appreciate the spectacle and tactility of game components and are willing to navigate the nuances of corruption and resource management. The game’s ability to balance complexity with streamlined gameplay makes it a standout in its category, appealing to both casual and experienced gamers looking for a challenging yet rewarding experience.

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