My City (2020) Board Game – Board Game Guys

My City is a city-building board game designed by renowned game designer Reiner Knizia and published by KOSMOS in in 2020. The game is a legacy-style game, which means that as players progress through the game, they permanently alter the game board and components.

Game Components of My City

Player Boards: Each player has a unique board that evolves over the campaign.

Polyomino Tiles: Players use 24 tiles in three different colors.

Construction Cards: A deck featuring images of the polyomino tiles.

Progress Symbols: Used to track player performance across episodes.

Stickers: Included in chapter envelopes to customize the player boards.

Scoring Track: To keep track of points.

Chapter Envelopes: Containing new rules, scoring methods, and stickers for each chapter.

How To Setup My City

To set up *My City*, each player starts with an identical set of polyomino tiles and a player board. Players name their city and place their scoring marker on the number 10 of their scoring track. The Construction cards are shuffled, and the game is ready to begin. For the start of a new chapter, players open the sealed envelope for the coming episodes, which includes new rules, an overview table for scoring, and stickers.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Placement: Players place tiles corresponding to the Construction cards drawn, ensuring the first tile touches the river and subsequent tiles are adjacent to existing buildings.

Scoring: Points are awarded for uncovered trees (+1 point), penalized for rocks and empty green spaces (-1 point each).

Legacy Elements: Choices and outcomes from one game carry over to future games through stickers and new rules introduced in each episode.

Campaign Structure: The game is divided into 24 episodes, grouped into chapters, with each chapter introducing new rules and scoring methods.

Objective: The player with the most points at the end of the 24th episode wins the campaign by accumulating the most Progress Symbols.

Player Experience

Playing *My City* feels like putting together a puzzle, with simple yet strategic choices. Players simultaneously place tiles based on the Construction cards, eliminating the need for individual turns and making the game quick and engaging. The game requires planning ahead to optimize future building placements, but it remains light-hearted and family-friendly.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules that gradually increase in complexity.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of all ages.

Quick Gameplay: Games can be completed quickly, with simultaneous player actions.

Legacy Elements: Evolving gameplay and customization through stickers and new rules.

Competitive: Players compete for the highest score each episode.

Cons

Limited Player Interaction: Players primarily interact with their own boards.

Penalty for Passing: Players lose points if they cannot or choose not to place a tile.

Component Quality: Some components, especially in the *Roll and Build* version, may feel cheaply made.

Personal Thoughts on My City

*My City* is ideal for those who enjoy strategic tile-laying games with a legacy twist. It is perfect for families or casual gamers looking for a game that is easy to learn but offers depth over multiple sessions. The game’s ability to be played quickly and its lack of direct player interaction make it a great option for solo players or those who prefer minimal player conflict. However, for gamers seeking high player interaction or complex, deeply strategic gameplay, *My City* might not be the best fit.

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