Underwater Cities (2018)

How to Play Underwater Cities

The main principle of the game is card placement. Three colored cards are placed along the edge of the main board into 3 x 5 slots, which are also colored. Ideally, players can place cards into slots of the same color. Then they can take both actions and advantages: the action depicted in the slot on the main board and also the advantage of the card.

Actions and advantages can allow players to intake raw materials; to build and upgrade city domes, tunnels and production buildings such as farms, desalination devices and laboratories in their personal underwater area; to move their marker on the initiative track (which is important for player order in the next turn); to activate the player’s “A-cards”; and to collect cards, both special ones and basic ones that allow for better decision possibilities during gameplay.

All of the nearly 220 cards — whether special or basic — are divided into five types according to the way and time of use. Underwater areas are planned to be double-sided, giving players many opportunities to achieve VPs and finally win.

Underwater Cities Review

“To conclude, Underwater Cities is a game with more than solid foundations. The worker placement mechanic combined with card play is excellent and offers players plenty of brain puzzles. The theme is interesting, although not perfectly executed, and the components are satisfactory. The main issues are the low player interaction and long playing time, so I would suggest it for lower player counts, even solo.”

Vasilij, victoryconditions.com

“Underwater Cities is a solid game that I enjoy more each time I pick it up. There are so many options and strategies to take. It’s a shame it only goes up to 4 players but, actually, I think 4 or more players is a tough game. The number of slots is limited and more people vying for the same spots makes the game even more restrictive.

Overall, the quality and value for money is a bit hit and miss. The player boards are going to deteriorate pretty quickly without careful handling, there’s no insert and not enough baggies. But the box has a great rolled texture when you pick it up and the rest of the components are great. I think I’ll forgive the player boards and lack of any sort of insert for this reason, and because it’s such a good game to play regardless.”

Florentyna Butler, board-game.co.uk

“Underwater Cities took me by surprise. I was initially scared of long play times and analysis paralysis, but the game is captivating in its decisions, in its trade-offs, in its combos, and in its opportunities for clever play. It is tense and interactive, and despite the long playtime, in my estimation it justifies every minute it’s on the table…”

FarmerLenny, islaythedragon.com

The content of this article is originally from Board Game Geek. For more information and a better understanding of the game, you can watch the videos below.