Machi Koro (2012) Board Game

Machi Koro is a popular city-building board game that was first released in in 2012. It was designed by Masao Suganuma and published by Grounding. The game has received positive reviews for its engaging gameplay and unique mechanics.

Game Components of Machi Koro

2 standard d6 dice

Player boards

Establishment cards (five types: Landmark, Primary Industry, Secondary Industry, Restaurant, Major Establishment)

Landmark cards

Coins (multiple languages have different materials, but often plastic)

Cardboard tokens for player flags and town boards

Optional: expansions like Harbor Expansion and Millionaire’s Row, and special editions like Machi Koro Legacy[4′.

How To Setup Machi Koro

To set up Machi Koro, each player selects a player board and receives a set of starting landmark cards. The establishment cards are shuffled and placed face up within reach of all players. The game includes a simple setup process that takes about 5 minutes, where players choose their starting landmarks and prepare the available establishment cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Mechanics: Dice rolling, resource management, and strategy.

Game Category: Card game, dice game, and city-building game.

Objective: The first player to complete four major landmarks wins the game.

Gameplay Phases:
– Dice Roll: Players roll one or two dice.
– Income: Collect coins from activated cards.
– Construction: Build new establishments and landmarks.

Establishment Types:
– Landmark (Orange): Permanent abilities, required to win.
– Primary Industry (Blue): Earn coins on specific dice rolls.
– Secondary Industry (Green): Earn coins on specific dice rolls.
– Restaurant (Red): Earn coins from other players’ rolls.
– Major Establishment (Purple): Various effects, including earning coins from other players.

Player Experience

Machi Koro is generally praised for its simplicity and accessibility, making it a great introduction to tabletop gaming, especially for casual players and children. However, some players have noted that the game can become repetitive and less challenging with optimal strategies, particularly with fewer players. The game’s short playing time of about 30 minutes makes it a good filler game.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and quick setup.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for children and casual gamers.

Quick Gameplay: Games typically last about 30 minutes.

Multiple Expansions: Options like Harbor Expansion and Millionaire’s Row add variety.

Legacy Version: Machi Koro Legacy offers a more dynamic and narrative-driven experience.

Cons

Limited Depth: Can become repetitive with optimal strategies.

Player Count Issues: Optimal strategies are more pronounced with fewer players.

Balancing Issues: Some establishment cards are considered overpowered, particularly in certain player counts.

Personal Thoughts on Machi Koro

Machi Koro is ideal for those looking for a light, easy-to-learn city-building game. It is great for families and casual gamers but may not satisfy hardcore strategy enthusiasts. For those who find the base game too straightforward, the expansions or the legacy version can add more complexity and variety. If you’re seeking a more balanced experience, Machi Koro 2, released in 2020, addresses some of the original game’s shortcomings.

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