Machi Koro Legacy (2019) Board Game

Machi Koro Legacy is a legacy-style board game released in 2019 by Pandasaurus Games. It is designed by Rob Daviau, JR Honeycutt, and Masao Suganuma, with artwork by Noboru Hotta. The game is a spin-off of the popular Machi Koro series, known for its city-building and dice-rolling mechanics.

Game Components of Machi Koro Legacy

4 Town boards

4 flag tokens

2 oversized dice

78 plastic coins

65 starting cards

1 legacy deck

1 sticker sheet

6 mystery boxes

1 rule book

Plastic coated cards, including a legacy deck and starting cards

Cardboard tokens for player flags and town boards.

How To Setup Machi Koro Legacy

To set up Machi Koro Legacy, each player selects a town board and places their flag token on it. Players are given a starting assortment of establishment cards to build their town. The game includes a legacy deck and mystery boxes that are opened as instructed during the campaign. The components are sturdy and designed for repeated play. Before each game, players ensure they have the correct cards and components as specified by the legacy campaign instructions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Dice rolling

Card activation

Resource management

Legacy elements (permanent changes to the game)

Variable player powers

Game Objective

Players compete to build the most attractive town on the Island of Machi Koro.

The goal is to be the first player to build all of their landmarks and contribute to the community landmark.

Player choices shape the game, unlocking new elements and permanently changing cards and player boards.

Player Experience

Players take on the roles of mayors, rolling dice to activate establishment cards in their towns, collecting income, and purchasing new cards to build their city. The game is designed to be easy to learn but gradually introduces new complexity as the campaign progresses. Each game in the 10-game series adds new elements, keeping the experience fresh and exciting. The legacy aspect ensures that no two games are the same, with an overarching narrative revealing itself over time.

Pros

Family-friendly: Suitable for players aged 10 and up, making it a great option for families.

Replayability: The game remains playable beyond the 10-game campaign with modified rules.

Engaging Narrative: A story-driven campaign that unfolds over ten games.

Variable Gameplay: New elements are introduced in each game, keeping the experience varied and exciting.

Lightweight Strategy: Easy to learn and play, with a balance between luck and strategy.

Cons

Luck-Driven Mechanics: Dice rolls can significantly impact gameplay, sometimes overshadowing strategy.

Balance Issues: Some legacy components can give strong advantages, potentially leading to imbalance in the game.

Limited Depth for Hardcore Gamers: The game may not offer enough complexity for experienced board game enthusiasts.

Personal Thoughts on Machi Koro Legacy

Machi Koro Legacy is ideal for families and casual board game enthusiasts who enjoy lightweight strategy games. It is particularly great for kids, as it introduces complex gameplay elements gradually, making it easy to follow and engaging. For those who enjoyed the original Machi Koro, this legacy version adds a new layer of depth and variability. However, hardcore Euro gamers might find it too light and luck-dependent. Overall, it offers a fun and unique gaming experience that is both enjoyable and replayable.

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