Machi Koro: Bright Lights, Big City (2016) Board Game

Machi Koro: Bright Lights, Big City is an expansion to the original Machi Koro board game, which was first released in in 2016. The expansion adds new gameplay elements and mechanics to the base game, allowing players to further develop their city and compete against each other to become the most successful mayor.

Game Components of Machi Koro: Bright Lights, Big City

Cards featuring all new artwork, labeled into three pile types: ≤6, >7, and monuments

Tokens

3 dice, including one spare

A rule book that is well-written and easy to navigate

Box insert, though criticized for being poorly designed compared to the original version.

How To Setup Machi Koro: Bright Lights, Big City

The setup involves drawing specific numbers of cards from each pile type. For a standard game, you use 5 cards from the ≤6 pile, 5 cards from the >7 pile, and 2 cards from the monument pile. This setup is designed to be faster and keep the card pool balanced.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players select cards to build their town.

Dice Rolling: Players roll dice to determine which cards are activated.

Game Objective: The goal is to be the first player to build all of their landmark cards, signifying the completion of their town.

Player Experience

Machi Koro: Bright Lights, Big City offers an enhanced experience compared to the original version, particularly with the inclusion of all expansions up to its release. This makes the game more diverse and cost-effective. The new artwork and streamlined setup process improve the overall gameplay experience, making it faster and more engaging.

Pros

Inclusive Expansions: Comes with all expansions to date, making it a more comprehensive and cheaper option than buying the original game and expansions separately.

Improved Setup: Faster setup due to the labeled card piles.

Enhanced Artwork: New artwork on the cards adds to the game’s aesthetic appeal.

Cost-Effective: Priced at $29.99, which is cheaper than buying the standard edition and expansions separately.

Cons

Poor Box Insert: The box insert is poorly designed and lacks organizers, dividers, or bags for tokens.

Token Count: Some players feel the token count is a bit too low, though it hasn’t caused significant issues.

Availability: Initially a Target exclusive, which could be a drawback for players outside the US.

Personal Thoughts on Machi Koro: Bright Lights, Big City

Machi Koro: Bright Lights, Big City is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a engaging and dynamic city-building game. It is particularly suited for those who enjoy card drafting and dice rolling mechanics. If you already own the original version, this edition is worth considering for its improved setup, new artwork, and included expansions. It’s a great addition to any board game collection, offering a balanced and fun gaming experience for a variety of player counts.

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