NEOM
- Players
- 1-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 45 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.6 / 5
- Year
- 2018
About the game
NEOM is a modern city-building game of simultaneous drafting and tile placement inspired by titles like 7 Wonders, Carcassonne, and Sim City. Players unlock a tree of 17 goods across three tiers, letting them place increasingly powerful tiles while carefully planning connected roads. Drafted cornerstone tiles heavily shift each game's optimal strategy, keeping repeated plays fresh. Extensive playtesting over thousands of logged games has given it a well-balanced set of viable approaches.
Hobbli's Notes
NEOM stands out for how much strategic tension it packs into a compact playtime. The simultaneous drafting keeps everyone engaged without long waits, and the road-connection puzzle adds a clever spatial challenge on top of resource planning. Cornerstone tiles do a great job of keeping the game from feeling solved. A tight, well-balanced city builder for groups who like drafting games.
What we like
- Simultaneous drafting keeps downtime low even at higher player counts.
- Cornerstone tiles create meaningfully different strategies each game.
- Road-connection puzzle adds spatial depth beyond simple tile placement.
- Solid solo mode extends replayability.
Keep in mind
- Tile and goods tree can feel busy for new players to track.
- Some player interaction is indirect compared to more confrontational euros.
Who it's for
Fans of city-building and drafting games aged 10 and up, playable solo or in groups up to five.
