Machi Koro
Designed by: Masao Suganuma
Machi Koro is a game of cards and dice. Each player is trying to build a ‘city’ from available cards that represent different buildings (and occasionally more rural elements). Each card has a number on it, and at the start of a turn – anyone’s turn – a die or dice are rolled: whatever number comes up, a building matching that number will “pay out” – sometimes just for whoever’s turn it is, but often for other players too; depending on what they have built. Payouts come in the form of cash, which allow you to build more buildings.
So the more cards you build, the more chance you have of getting payouts and winning more. And a game that starts with just one die progresses to (the option of) two dice instead, as buildings become more industrious and productive. It ends when any one player has built all four of the landmarks – the most expensive buildings.
It’s easy to pick up that has a nice seam of luck running through it.
Sam says
What it has going for it – simplicity, for one, and lovely aesthetic design – it does score highly on. It’s far from my favourite game, but it plays at a nice rapid trot and accessibility is an often underrated quality. Does it stand up to multiple plays? I think if you put enough time between them, yes. I don’t find the game massively compelling after those first two or three visits, but it’s inoffensive and entertaining enough.
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Take That!
There are buildings that allow you to steal money from other players, or exchange a lesser building for a better one.
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Fidget Factor!
Very little. Roll the dice, build... or don't. Simple.
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Brain Burn!
Roll the die; collect payouts; then either build a building - or don't. But there are strategies to be had in Machi Koro - it's not a game of pure luck, and it depends on how your buildings work together.
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Again Again!
There's not huge depths here, but the easy-to-learn rules and short play mean Machi Koro has a moreish appeal..
