London (Second Edition) (2017) Board Game

London (Second Edition) is a card game published by Osprey Games in in 2017. It is a revised version of the original London game, designed by Martin Wallace. The game is set in the 19th century during the Industrial Revolution, where players take on the roles of influential architects and city planners, competing to build the most prosperous and prestigious city in London.

Game Components of London (Second Edition)

1 game board

110 cards

55 coins

4 player boards

4 wooden markers

1 first player token

Various tokens and markers

How To Setup London (Second Edition)

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the cards and place them face down as a draw deck.

Give each player a player board and marker.

Set aside the coins, tokens, and first player token.

Determine the starting player and begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players take turns performing actions such as building boroughs, constructing buildings, taking loans, and managing their hand of cards. The objective is to create the most efficient city layout, generate income, and avoid falling into poverty. The game ends after a set number of rounds, and the player with the highest prosperity score wins.

Player Experience

Pros:

Strategic depth in city building and hand management mechanics.

Beautiful artwork and thematic immersion.

Engaging player interaction through card drafting and resource management.

Cons:

Steep learning curve for new players.

Limited replay value due to fixed card decks.

Player interaction can lead to take-that moments.

Personal Thoughts on London (Second Edition)

London (Second Edition) is a well-crafted card game with intricate gameplay mechanics that cater to strategy enthusiasts. The build quality of the components is top-notch, and the thematic immersion is remarkable. However, the game’s pricing and availability may deter casual players looking for a more accessible experience. Alternatives like Suburbia and Welcome To… offer similar city-building themes with different gameplay twists. Overall, London (Second Edition) is worth your time if you enjoy complex strategy games and are willing to invest in mastering its mechanics. It is suitable for players who appreciate challenging gameplay and thematic depth, while those seeking lighter experiences may want to skip this one.

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