NEOM (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

NEOM is a city building board game released in in 2018. It is designed by Klemens Franz and Christian Opperer, with artwork done by Lookout Games. The game is designed for 1-5 players, with a recommended player count of 4-5. NEOM features closed drafting, connections, solo/solitaire gameplay, take that mechanics, and tile placement as its main gameplay mechanisms.

Game Components of NEOM

6 City Boards

150 Tiles (40 each of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation Tiles, 30 Cornerstone Tiles)

85 Good Tokens (6 Raw Good Tokens, 8 Processed Good Tokens, 3 Luxury Good Tokens)

Coin Tokens (29× £1, 18× £5, 12× £20)

Scoring Pad

Various tiles representing homes, businesses, commercial enterprises, and more.

How To Setup NEOM

To set up NEOM, players start by placing their City Boards and receiving a set of tiles specific to the first generation. Each player is dealt 8 tiles at the beginning of each generation. The game is structured into three generations, with each generation introducing new and more powerful tiles. The setup involves organizing the tile packs in a specific order and ensuring each player has the necessary starting resources and tokens.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Drafting and Placement: Players select and place tiles in their city grid to build a futuristic city.

Resource Management: Tiles provide various goods and money necessary for further tile placement and scoring.

Income Generation: Commercial tiles generate income at the end of each generation.

Disasters: Random events like floods, fires, or crime sprees can affect gameplay.

Game Objective: Build a city with the required structures to avoid penalties and accumulate the most victory points over three generations.

Player Experience

NEOM offers a dynamic and strategic experience, especially for fans of city-building and resource management games. Players must balance the development of residential, industrial, and commercial areas while managing resources and dealing with random events. The game’s progression through three generations adds a layer of complexity and depth, requiring players to adapt their strategies as new tiles become available.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game offers a rich and engaging experience with multiple layers of strategy.

Variety of Tiles: Each generation introduces new tiles, keeping the game fresh and challenging.

Solo and Multiplayer Options: NEOM is playable with 1 to 5 players, offering different gameplay experiences based on the number of players.

Thematic Integration: The game’s theme of building a futuristic city is well-integrated into the mechanics and components.

Cons

Complex Setup: The initial setup can be cumbersome due to the organization of tile packs and resources.

Steep Learning Curve: New players may find the rules and mechanics overwhelming at first.

Random Events: While adding variety, disasters can sometimes feel arbitrary and frustrating.

Personal Thoughts on NEOM

NEOM is ideal for players who enjoy strategic city-building games and are comfortable with a moderate to high level of complexity. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate resource management and tile placement mechanics. The game’s ability to accommodate both solo and multiplayer experiences makes it versatile and appealing to a wide range of players. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers looking for a quick, easy-to-learn game.

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