Big City
- Players
- 2-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.2 / 5
- Year
- 1999
About the game
Big City tasks players with growing a bustling metropolis using colorful plastic building pieces. Players collect cards across eight distinct neighborhoods, then use them to place residences and larger structures on the shared board, scoring points based on a building's value and its neighbors. A twist comes from City Hall: someone must place it, scoring nothing for themselves, before anyone can build beyond simple residences. It's a distinctive city-building game with a memorable, tactile feel.
Hobbli's Notes
Big City's chunky components make it stand out on the table, and the City Hall rule creates a fun bit of social tension over who'll take one for the team. It's an older design, so it plays lighter than modern city-builders, but the neighborhood bonus scoring still offers real tactical choices. Worth tracking down for fans of classic-era Euro city-building games.
What we like
- Distinctive City Hall mechanic creates interesting group dynamics.
- Quality, tactile plastic building components.
- Approachable 60-minute playtime.
- Rewarding neighborhood bonus scoring.
Keep in mind
- Out of print and can be hard to find.
- Lighter strategic depth by modern standards.
- City Hall placement can create kingmaking situations.
Who it's for
Good for family and casual groups aged 10+ who enjoy tile placement and city-building games with 2-5 players.
