Neon Gods (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Neon Gods is a board game released in 2018, designed by Kendall Elmen and Igor Wolski. The game is set in a futuristic, neon-drenched world where players take on the roles of street gangs vying for control of the city. With its unique blend of economic strategy, area control, and fighting elements, Neon Gods offers a fresh and engaging gaming experience for 2 to 4 players.

Game Components of Neon Gods

Game board featuring a 3D illusion cityscape

Gang member cards with unique specialties and actions

Building and structure pieces

Resource tokens

Dice (blue, pink, and green) for combat and other actions

Andy tokens (representing police or robotic opponents)

Watchtower pieces for additional bonuses

Scoring tiles and Blurp (victory points) tokens

Rulebook with multiple scenarios

How To Setup Neon Gods

To set up *Neon Gods*, players begin by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a starting base and places their initial gang members and resources accordingly. The recruitment deck and special event cards are shuffled and placed within reach. The board can be set up in various scenarios, including the basic setup with player bases in the corners and scoring tiles in the middle, or more complex scenarios like Tunnel Assault, where the middle of the board is surrounded by dead zones.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Territory Control: Players compete to control areas of the board.

Resource Management: Manage resources to recruit new gang members, build structures, and generate income.

Deck-Building: Hire new gang members with unique abilities using a sliding scale cost system.

Combat: Engage in battles using dice rolls, with different dice types offering various effects (blue for standard, pink for more damage, and green for stealing resources).

Building and Expanding: Construct buildings to gain Blurp (victory points), hold territory, or generate resources.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most Blurp by controlling territory, recruiting powerful gang members, and successfully battling opponents.

Player Experience

*Neon Gods* offers a fast-paced and strategical experience, particularly enjoyable with four players. The game is rich in humor and pop culture references, paroding the cyberpunk genre. Players must balance recruiting gang members, building their empire, and fighting for territory, all while navigating the constant threat of police and rival gangs. The game’s art style is cartoonish and fun, capturing the aesthetic of 1980s sci-fi.

Pros

Colorful and lighthearted take on the cyberpunk genre

High replay value with multiple board setups and scenarios

Engaging combat mechanics and strategic depth

Great for both new and experienced board gamers

Humorous theme with lots of character in gang members and generals

Cons

Minis lack distinctiveness, being identical for each gang

Box storage could be improved

Some mechanics feel disjointed or less important than others

Not enough dice included

Personal Thoughts on Neon Gods

*Neon Gods* is perfect for fans of cyberpunk and retro sci-fi who enjoy a blend of humor and strategy. It’s an excellent choice for those looking for a lighter, yet still engaging, area control game. The game’s unique art style and varied scenarios ensure it remains fun and challenging even after multiple plays. It’s suitable for players aged 14 and above, and its playtime ranges from 30 to 120 minutes, depending on the complexity of the scenario and the number of players. Overall, *Neon Gods* is a fun and strategic game that balances complexity with accessibility, making it a great addition to any board game collection.

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