Skyline (2012) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Skyline is a city building board game that was released in in 2012. It is designed by Gavan Brown and David Short and published by Tasty Minstrel Games. The game is targeted for players aged 10 and above and can accommodate 1-4 players, with the best experience being with 2-3 players.

Game Components of Skyline

Dice: Ground Floor, Upper Floor, and Penthouse dice, each representing different parts of a building.

Building Tiles: Used to construct and visualize the buildings.

Status Board: Central board that tracks the game’s progress.

Status Marker: Indicates the current round.

Construction Yard: Area where dice and building tiles are stored.

Abandoned District: Area where active dice are placed.

How To Setup Skyline

To set up Skyline, place the Status Board in the center of the play area and set the Status Marker to the 1 space. Group the dice into three piles by type (Ground Floor, Upper Floor, and Penthouse) near the left side of the Status Board in the Construction Yard. Place the Building Tiles near these dice. Take 3 dice (one of each type) and place them near the right side of the Status Board in the Abandoned District. Distribute Ground Floor dice to players based on their starting positions (High-Rise, Mid-Rise, Low-Rise), with the fourth player receiving none if playing with four players. The player who has most recently visited a high-rise building starts the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Objective: Build the best city skyline by grouping dice and constructing buildings to score the most points.

Gameplay Mechanics:

Take Dice: Select dice from the Abandoned District or Construction Yard.

Roll Dice: Roll the selected dice.

Take Actions: Choose to build, extend, or resign using the rolled dice.

Roll Again?: Decide whether to roll the dice again or end the turn.

Rounds: The game consists of multiple rounds, each ending with the Status Marker moving forward.

Scoring: Points are awarded based on the height and number of buildings constructed.

Player Experience

Playing Skyline is a fun and strategic experience that challenges players to manage their dice effectively and build an impressive city skyline. Each turn requires careful planning and decision-making, as players must balance the risk of rolling dice again against the need to build and extend their buildings. The game’s simplicity and clarity make it accessible to a wide range of players, while its depth keeps it engaging.

Pros

Engaging Mechanics: The combination of dice rolling and building construction keeps players engaged.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it easy for new players to jump in.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and decision-making.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players of various ages and skill levels.

Cons

Luck Element: Dice rolling introduces an element of luck that may frustrate some players.

Limited Player Interaction: Players primarily focus on their own buildings with minimal direct interaction.

Personal Thoughts on Skyline

Skyline is ideal for those who enjoy light to medium-weight strategic games with a touch of luck. It is perfect for families or casual game nights where the focus is on fun and accessible gameplay. While it may not offer the complexity sought by hardcore gamers, it provides a delightful and engaging experience for anyone looking to build and manage their own city skyline.

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.