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My City: Roll & Build (2022) Board Game

ByMichail

My City: Roll & Build is a city-building board game designed by Reiner Knizia and published by KOSMOS in in 2022. The game combines elements of dice rolling, grid coverage, and scenario-based gameplay to create a unique and engaging experience for players. With beautiful artwork by Michael Menzel, “My City: Roll & Build” offers a fresh take on the classic city-building genre.

Game Components of My City: Roll & Build

  • Game pads** for each player to draw their city
  • Special polyomino generator dice** to determine building shapes and types
  • Pencils** for drawing on the game pads
  • Rulebook** with instructions and episode-specific challenges
  • 12 episodes** divided into four chapters, each introducing new mechanics

    How To Setup My City: Roll & Build

    To set up the game, each player receives a game pad and a pencil. The game pads are divided into sections where players will draw their city based on the dice rolls. The rulebook provides detailed instructions for each episode, and players start by rolling the dice to determine the first building to be drawn, which must be placed along the river on the game pad.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Roll-and-write mechanics: Players roll three dice to determine the shape and type of building to draw on their game pad.
  • Spatial reasoning: Players must fit buildings adjacent to existing structures.
  • Episode-specific challenges: Each episode introduces new scoring criteria and challenges, such as grouping similar buildings, uncovering trees, finding gold, and fending off bandits.
  • Campaign mode: Players can play through 12 episodes in a campaign or select individual episodes.
  • Game objective: To score the most points by efficiently building and managing their city across the episodes.

    Player Experience

    The game starts off simple but gradually increases in complexity and challenge. The initial episodes might seem straightforward, but as the game progresses, new mechanics are introduced, making the game more engaging and requiring more strategic thinking. The game is suitable for players of various ages, including children as young as 5, though younger players might need some guidance. The lack of predictability in dice rolls adds a layer of excitement and unpredictability, making each playthrough unique.

    Pros

  • High replayability: The random nature of the dice rolls ensures different outcomes each time.
  • Progressive complexity: The game introduces new mechanics in each episode, keeping the experience fresh.
  • Family-friendly: Suitable for players of different ages, including children.
  • Streamlined gameplay: Compared to other roll-and-write games, it is less fussy and easier to score.

    Cons

  • Initial episodes can be boring: The first episode, in particular, may not be as engaging as later episodes.
  • Analysis paralysis: In later rounds, players with analysis paralysis can slow down the game.
  • Dice quality: Some players have complained about the quality and feel of the special polyomino generator dice.

    Personal Thoughts on My City: Roll & Build

    **My City: Roll & Build** is ideal for fans of the original **My City** game and those who enjoy roll-and-write mechanics. It offers a gentle yet engaging puzzle experience that is perfect for casual game nights or as a quick solo play. While it may not transcend the genre, it is an exemplary roll-and-write game that provides a fun and challenging experience with each playthrough. If you’re looking for a game that is easy to learn but has depth as you progress, **My City: Roll & Build** is a great choice.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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