Intrigue City (2013) Board Game

Intrigue City is a board game that was released in 2013 and designed by Eleni Chalati, Manolis Frangidis, and Panagiota Pardavela. The game is set in a fantasy world where players take on the roles of influential figures trying to gain control and power over the city.

Game Components of Intrigue City

Influence Tokens of three different values (1, 2, & 3)

Equilibrium Cards

Action tokens (offensive and defensive)

Intrigue Tokens

Guild Favour tokens (minor and major)

Player Boards

Era Change cards

Influence Action Cards

How To Setup Intrigue City

To set up Intrigue City, players first distribute the Influence Tokens and Action tokens. Each player receives a Player Board and places their Intrigue Token on the starting position of the Intrigue Counter. Guild Favour tokens are placed within reach of all players. The Influence Action Cards are shuffled and placed on designated spaces on the board. The game is ready to start once all components are correctly positioned and each player understands their starting setup.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Action Phase: Players place offensive or defensive action tokens on the board, executing actions and advancing their Intrigue Tokens.

Rounds End: Players score Equilibrium Cards for maintained Equilibriums and advance through the game phases.

Era Change: Occurs every two rounds, affecting game dynamics.

Voting: Players vote to increase the power of Guilds, impacting the point value of Equilibrium Cards.

Game Objective

Achieve the most Power points by:
– Obtaining the Schemer card
– Holding unused Major Guild Favours
– Having the biggest variety of Equilibrium cards
– Totaling exactly 36 Influence value on the Player Board
– Scoring through Equilibrium cards

Player Experience

Intrigue City offers a dynamic and replayable experience. Players must balance their influence across different Guilds while disrupting their opponents’ plans. The game includes multiple play modes, such as a simplified family version, a quick game, a two-player game, and an advanced version with random Influence Action Cards. This variety ensures that each game is unique and challenging, even with the same set of cards.

Pros

High Replayability: Random board placement and variable Influence Action Cards ensure different gameplay each time.

Multiple Game Modes: Offers various ways to play, catering to different player preferences and skill levels.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and social deduction to achieve Equilibrium and outmaneuver opponents.

Engaging Gameplay: Combines action tokens, Guild Favours, and voting to create an engaging and interactive experience.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a learning curve due to its intricate mechanics and multiple components.

Length: Games can last up to an hour, which may not be suitable for all players.

Balance: While the cards feel balanced, it may take several games to fully appreciate the underlying logic.

Personal Thoughts on Intrigue City

Intrigue City is for players who enjoy strategic games with a social deduction element. It is ideal for those who appreciate games that require careful planning and adaptability. The multiple play modes make it a versatile addition to any board game collection, suitable for both casual and experienced gamers. However, due to its complexity, it may not be the best introduction for new board game enthusiasts.

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