Skyrise
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 90 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.3 / 5
- Year
- 2024
About the game
Skyrise tasks players with helping build a magnificent floating city dedicated to art, science, and beauty, competing to be remembered as its greatest architect. The heart of the game is a spatial auction system used to win building sites, earning favor across islands and factions while completing secret and public objectives. Players also court mysterious Patrons and construct their own unique Wonder as the cityscape grows across the table. It tells an interactive story of rising stakes and scarce resources as the skyline fills in over the course of play. Skyrise draws inspiration from designer Sébastien Pauchon's earlier Spiel des Jahres-recommended game Metropolys.
Hobbli's Notes
Skyrise's spatial bidding system is a genuinely clever twist that makes every auction feel spatially meaningful rather than purely numeric. The growing cityscape gives real visual feedback on how the game is progressing, which is satisfying at the table. As a newer title, it hasn't yet built the long track record of some of its peers, so some caution is warranted for groups seeking proven staying power. Worth a look for fans of auction and area-majority games wanting something visually fresh.
What we like
- Unique spatial auction system feels fresh among bidding games.
- Striking visual growth of the floating cityscape over the game.
- Interesting tension between building sites and scoring objectives.
- Accessible complexity level for a modern strategy game.
Keep in mind
- Auction mechanics can invite analysis paralysis in some groups.
- Relatively unproven long-term replay value as a newer release.
- Player interaction can feel indirect between turns.
Who it's for
Good for intermediate to experienced strategy gamers aged 14+ who enjoy auction and area-majority games, in groups of 2-4.
