Shake That City (2023) Board Game

Shake That City’ is a city-building board game designed by Mads Fløe and Kåre Torndahl Kjær, and published by Alderac Entertainment Group. It was released in 2023 and is suitable for 1-4 players, with the best experience being for 3-4 players. The game combines elements of bingo, grid coverage pattern building, tile placement, and variable set-up, providing a unique and engaging gameplay experience.

Game Components of Shake That City

Rulebook

4 Player Boards (double-sided)

1 Cube Shaker

1 Round Tracker Board

1 Round Tracker Token

2 Score Reference Boards

1 Scorepad

Cubes: 8 Red Home, 7 Blue Shop, 6 Black Factory, 6 Green Park, 5 Gray Road

Tiles: 40 Home, 40 Shop, 40 Factory, 40 Park, 40 Road

28 Bonus Point Tiles (7 for each player)

16 Construction Variant Tiles

27 Mini Building Tiles

How To Setup Shake That City

To set up the game, start by building the Cube Shaker and filling it with all the cubes. Each player receives a player board and orients it according to the first player’s board, ensuring all boards have the same configuration. Players then shuffle their Bonus Tiles and place them around the North and West sides of their boards. The Round Tracker and marker are set up, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Rounds: The game is played over 15 rounds.

Cube Shaker Mechanic: Each round, the active player shakes the Cube Shaker and presses the Slider to drop 9 cubes in a 3×3 pattern.

Tile Placement: The active player chooses a color from the pattern and places the corresponding Building Tiles on their board, matching the exact configuration of the cubes. Other players choose any other color and place their tiles accordingly.

Bonus Tiles: Players earn points for completing Bonus Point Tiles around the edge of their board.

Scoring:
– Gray Roads score if connected to the edge of the board.
– Green Parks score if adjacent to Factories or Homes.
– Black Factories score if adjacent to other Factories or Roads.
– Blue Shops score if connected to the edge of the board.
– Red Homes score in groups unless next to a Factory.

Game Objective: The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Player Experience

Shake That City offers a fun and challenging experience, focusing on spatial puzzles and city building. Players must strategically place tiles to maximize their points, considering the restrictions and opportunities presented by the Cube Shaker’s random patterns. The game’s design ensures that each player has viable options each turn, reducing the likelihood of “feels bad” moments. The game’s length and complexity make it accessible and engaging for a wide range of players.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: The Cube Shaker adds an exciting element of randomness.

Strategic Depth: Players must plan carefully to maximize their points.

Short Playtime: The game lasts about 30-45 minutes, making it a great fit for family game nights.

Variants: Includes options like Beachfront Board and Construction Variant to change up the gameplay.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players aged 10 and above.

Cons

Complex Scoring: The scoring system can be intricate and requires careful attention.

Limited Designer Information: The game designer is not specified in available sources.

Potential for Repetition: Some players might find the repetitive nature of tile placement and cube shaking monotonous.

Personal Thoughts on Shake That City

Shake That City is ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy puzzle games and tile-laying mechanics. It offers a good balance of luck and strategy, making it appealing to a wide audience. The game’s short playtime and various game modes ensure it remains fresh and exciting over multiple plays. If you’re looking for a game that’s easy to learn but challenging to master, Shake That City is a great addition to your game collection.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.