Sunrise City (2012) Board Game

Sunrise City is a city-building board game that was released in in 2012. Designed by Christopher Kirkman and Sarah “Chip” Nixon, the game is known for its unique auction/bidding mechanism and variable player powers. With a playing time of around 60 minutes, Sunrise City is suitable for players aged 13 and above.

Game Components of Sunrise City

Zoning tiles for extending the city

Building tiles for constructing buildings

Unique role cards providing special powers

Thick wooden poker chips for bidding

Large black plastic pieces for tracking odd-floor scoring bonuses

Bright and colorful tiles with matching icons for easy identification

How To Setup Sunrise City

To set up Sunrise City, players start by drawing four zoning tiles and four building tiles at the beginning of each round. Each player selects a unique role card, which grants a special power until the next round. The game is played over three rounds, each divided into four phases.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Mechanics

Tile Drawing: Players draw zoning and building tiles.

Role Selection: Players pick a unique role card for special powers.

Zoning: Players place zoning tiles to extend the city.

Bidding: Players bid for the right to build on empty zones.

Building: Players place building tiles on zones or other buildings, adhering to color-matching rules.

Scoring: Points are awarded for placing buildings, creating districts, building next to community tiles, and using special powers.

Game Objective

The objective is to score points by strategically placing buildings, creating districts, and utilizing special powers, while managing to end the game with a total score close to 10 points.

Player Experience

Sunrise City offers a engaging and quick gameplay experience, typically lasting less than 45 minutes. Players enjoy the puzzle of finding the best places to build their structures, creating a three-dimensional city. The game components, such as thick cardboard building tiles and wooden bidding chips, enhance the tactile experience. Despite some luck involved, the game feels more strategic than classic tile-laying games like Carcassonne.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Allows for planning and strategy with the draw of multiple tiles.

Three-Dimensional Building: Building tiles can be stacked to create upper floors, adding a satisfying layer of complexity.

Colorful Components: Bright and colorful tiles with icons make the game visually appealing.

Quick Gameplay: Games usually last under 45 minutes.

Special Powers: Unique role cards add variety and strategy to each round.

Cons

Luck Factor: The draw of tiles can introduce an element of luck.

Color Matching Issue: There is a slight mismatch in the blue color between the zoning and building tiles.

Personal Thoughts on Sunrise City

Sunrise City is ideal for fans of tile-laying games who are looking for a lightweight strategy game with a bit of luck. It’s perfect for those who enjoy games like Carcassonne but want something a bit more complex and visually engaging. The game’s quick playtime and satisfying city-building mechanic make it a great addition to any board game collection. If you’re looking for a fun, strategic game that doesn’t overwhelm, Sunrise City is definitely worth checking out.

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