Town Center (2012) Board Game

Town Center is a board game that was released in in 2012. It is designed by Sampo Sikiö and Alban Viard, with artwork by AoS Team and Ludibay. The game falls under the categories of Abstract Strategy, City Building, and Economic. With a playtime of 30 minutes and recommended for players aged 12 and above, Town Center is a game that challenges players to strategically build and manage their own city.

Game Components of Town Center

Personal player boards

Building cards

Cubes for tracking and placement

Point tokens

Rulebook

How To Setup Town Center

To set up the game, each player receives a personal board. The building cards are shuffled and a certain number are drawn, depending on the player count. Players start with some initial cubes and tokens on their board. The remaining components are placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Drafting: Players draft building cards to add to their city.

Area Placement: Players place cubes on their personal board to represent buildings and other city features.

Point Maximization: The goal is to arrange these cubes and buildings to score the most points by fulfilling various city development criteria.

Player Experience

In Town Center, players engage in a strategic game of city planning. Each turn, they must carefully choose which buildings to add and how to place them on their board to optimize their score. The game requires a balance between short-term gains and long-term planning, making it both challenging and rewarding.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers a good level of strategy and planning.

Replayability: Different building cards and placement options ensure varied gameplay.

Solo Play: Supports solo play, making it versatile for different player counts.

Clear Rules: The rules are relatively straightforward, making it easy to learn.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for new players due to the variety of buildings and scoring rules.

Component Quality: Some players might find the cube placement mechanism a bit fiddly.

Length: Games can be on the longer side, especially for new players.

Personal Thoughts on Town Center

Town Center is ideal for players who enjoy city-building and strategic planning games. It’s a great fit for those who like games like SimCity but want a more condensed, tabletop experience. The game’s support for solo play also makes it a good choice for those who often game alone. However, it may not be the best introduction for new board game players due to its complexity and the need for careful planning.

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.