Point City Review:
A city-building card game that even beginners can enjoy
A new engine building game from the team behind Point Salad !
We will thoroughly explain the appeal and points to note of this family-friendly card game that allows you to enjoy strategic city building in a short amount of time.
Game Basics
Point City is a card drafting and engine building game that allows you to enjoy strategic city building in a short amount of time.
Point City is a card drafting and engine building game for 1-4 players, 15-30 minutes to play, and recommended for ages 10 and up.
Developed by Flatout Games , the development team behind Point Salad , and co-published by Alderac Entertainment Group .
The core mechanics of the game are card drafting and engine building .
Players select two adjacent cards from the 4x4 market grid, or take two cards from the top of the deck.
The 160 double-sided cards have resources on one side and buildings on the other.
Use resources to construct buildings and build your own city.
Buildings provide permanent resources, points, and special Civic tokens, and the player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Each player has exactly 17 turns, requiring strategic city management.
The charm of Point City
Unique buildings and gradual growth provide a fresh and strategic gaming experience every time.
High replayability with over 150 unique buildings
With over 150 unique building cards, your city will be different every time.
Only a randomly selected subset of the 22 Civic Tokens will be used, ensuring a fresh experience every time you set it up.
Step-by-step growth strategy
Cards are divided into three tiers (hierarchies), with players starting at tier 1 and gradually increasing in cost and value as cards appear.
Players start with low-cost single-resource buildings, and later on, double-resource cards and high-value buildings appear, allowing players' cities to grow naturally.
Clear rules that are easy for beginners to follow
The rulebook is clear, concise, and businesslike, allowing you to learn in minutes and start playing immediately.
Each turn progresses quickly, providing a great spatial drafting experience.
The joy of engine building
Buildings provide permanent resources and include an engine building element that allows for the construction of more expensive buildings.
You need to find the right balance between resource-generating buildings and score-scoring buildings, so strategic decisions are important even in a short space of time.
Concerns and solutions
There are some complexities, but with the right precautions it can be fun to play.
Complexity of card replenishment systems
The system of replenishing your building side if the card you draft from the market is a resource, and replenishing your resource side if it is a building, can be difficult to remember.
Solution : This can be solved by using the Market Tokens that come with the game to remember which way to refill.
Lack of theme
The cities you build tend to have no consistent theme and are a random collection of buildings.
Solution : Focus on the fun of the game mechanics and enjoy it as a light-hearted game, and you'll be fully satisfied.
Kingmaking potential
With three or more players playing, hate drafts can occur, where a player with no chance of winning can influence the outcome of other players.
Solution : Two-player games offer a less chaotic and more strategic gaming experience.
Recommended for these people and occasions
It is an excellent card game that is suitable for a wide range of players and can be used in a variety of situations.
Card game beginners and families
For those who shy away from heavier games or for families with children, this is a great introductory game that even experienced players can enjoy.
My husband is a skilled complex engine builder and has a nearly undefeated record at Point City , a strategy game where skill is key.
People who want to enjoy a strategy game in a short amount of time
It's a great weeknight game, family game, or light filler game, and is usually played several times in a row.
It takes about 30 minutes for two players and about an hour for four players.
Engine Building Beginner
It's an ideal introductory game for anyone wanting to learn the basic elements of engine building, offering just the right amount of strategy without being too complex.
Compared to classic engine builders like Splendor , it has a more attractive theme and artwork.
Point City offers a quick burst of strategic fun and light interaction, making it a rare opportunity to get a feel for engine building in around 30 minutes.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a step up in complexity from Point Salad , lovers of city-building themes, and those wanting to experience a new game from Flatout Games .
Check the product on the online store page
Free shipping throughout Japan. Orders placed before 3pm will be shipped the same day.
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