Sprawlopolis

2018

Join forces in Sprawlopolis, a compact yet strategic cooperative board game where 1-4 players build a thriving city from the ground up!

20
minutes

1 - 4
player(s)

Medium Light

About the game

Sprawlopolis is a dynamic, engaging city-building board game that transports players into the heart of urban planning and development. This captivating game offers a unique blend of strategy, collaboration, and city planning that engages players right from the start.

In the world of Sprawlopolis, you and your fellow players assume the roles of urban planners, working tirelessly to build the best city possible. The setting is modern and urban, drawing players into a world of skyscrapers, parks, and bustling city streets.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

The ‘Sprawlopolis’ board game includes several components, each playing a critical role in the gameplay. Here is a detailed list and description of each component:

Cards:

There are 18 unique cards in the game, each representing a piece of the city. Each card is divided into four sections, with each section depicting one of the four types of zones: Residential (blue), Commercial (yellow), Industrial (red), or Park (green). These cards are used to build the city during gameplay. Players take turns placing cards, aiming to create large, contiguous zones of the same type to score points.

Scoring conditions:

On the back of each city card are scoring conditions. These conditions dictate the way that points are scored in a particular game. Three cards are drawn at the start of the game, their back side up, to set the scoring conditions for that game. This ensures that each game of ‘Sprawlopolis’ is unique and requires different strategies to win.

Block cards:

There are also 4 Block cards in the game. These cards represent the starting point of the city and are used to add variation and difficulty to the game. They are optional and can be added to the base game for an additional challenge. Block cards add pre-determined structures to the city, which players must work around when placing their cards.

Score Track:

The score track is used to keep track of each player’s score throughout the game. The score is calculated based on the size and number of contiguous zones of the same type, minus points for roads that lead to dead ends. The player with the highest score at the end of the game is the winner.

Player Tokens:

There are 4 player tokens included in the game. These tokens are used to mark the current score on the score track. Each player chooses a token at the start of the game and moves it along the score track as they score points.

Each of these components interacts with the game in a different way, coming together to create a complex and engaging city-building experience.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

‘Sprawlopolis’ is a cooperative city-building game where players work together to build a new city in the heart of Sprawlopolis. The following steps will guide you through setting up the game:

Step 1: Preparing the Deck

Shuffle all 18 city cards and place them in a facedown draw pile in the center of the play area.
Draw the top 3 cards from this pile and place them face up next to the draw pile. These are the scoring conditions for your game.

Step 2: Setting Up Player Hands

Deal 3 city cards to each player. These cards form their initial hand.

Step 3: Setting Up the Initial City

Draw the top card from the draw pile and place it in the center of the play area. This card forms the start of your city.

Step 4: Choosing the Starting Player

Determine a starting player by any method you prefer. The starting player will take the first turn when the game begins.

There is no specific role for each player in Sprawlopolis. All players are city planners working together to meet the scoring conditions on the 3 face-up city cards. On each turn, a player will add a card to the city, then draw a card to replenish their hand.

The placement of the board (city cards) changes dynamically throughout the game based on player decisions. Players can place city cards adjacent to or on top of existing city cards, changing the city’s layout. However, the card placed must overlap at least one existing city block of the same type (residential, commercial, industrial, or park).

The game has a significant random element as the draw pile, and thus the cards available to players, are shuffled and set up randomly at the beginning of the game. The scoring conditions, determined by the first 3 cards drawn from the deck, also add an element of unpredictability to each game.

Game flow Round and round we go

Sprawlopolis is a cooperative city-building game where players work together to build the best possible city. The game is played in rounds until the deck of city cards runs out. Each round is structured into several phases: the Draw Phase, the Planning Phase, the Build Phase, and the Scoring Phase.

In the Draw Phase, players begin by drawing three cards from the deck. These cards represent the different parts of the city that can be built. Each card features a type of city block, such as residential, commercial, industrial, park, or road.

The Planning Phase follows, where players decide together how to use the cards they’ve drawn. They can discuss strategy and plan out the placement of their city blocks. It’s in this phase where cooperative decision making is crucial to maximize scoring potential.

Next, in the Build Phase, players take turns placing one of the cards from their hand onto the city grid. The card can be placed in any orientation, but once placed, it cannot be moved. The goal is to arrange similar types of city blocks together to score points. The more contiguous blocks of the same type, the higher the score.

Finally, the Scoring Phase occurs. After the final card has been placed and the city is complete, the game ends. Players then calculate their score based on the conditions of the three scoring cards drawn at the beginning of the game. Points are awarded for contiguous blocks of the same type, and for achieving specific conditions outlined on the scoring cards. However, points are deducted for each road in the city, representing the cost of infrastructure.

Once scores are calculated, if the total score is higher than the combined total of the scoring cards’ requirements, the players win. If not, the city is deemed a planning failure and the game is lost.

In summary, a game of Sprawlopolis involves strategic cooperation, careful planning, and thoughtful placement of city blocks, all while keeping in mind the scoring conditions and the need to minimize the number of roads. It’s a game of balance and coordination, where every decision matters.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In Sprawlopolis, a cooperative city-building game, players take turns placing cards to create the best city layout. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what happens during a player’s turn:

Draw a Card: The player starts their turn by drawing a card from the deck. The deck consists of various types of city blocks, such as residential, commercial, industrial, and park blocks. The card drawn will indicate the type and arrangement of city blocks to be placed.
Place a Card: After drawing a card, the player must place the card in the city. The card can be placed in any orientation, but it must touch at least one previously placed card. The placement of the card affects the layout of the city and can contribute to achieving the scoring conditions.
Pass the Turn: Once a card has been placed, the player’s turn is over, and the next player starts their turn by drawing a card. The turn order continues in a clockwise direction.

Throughout the game, players must make strategic choices to maximize their score. Here are some potential strategies:

Block Type Management: Players should aim to group similar types of blocks together. This is because large connected areas of the same block type score more points.
Scoring Card Consideration: Each game has three scoring cards that provide unique scoring conditions. Players should aim to fulfill these conditions for additional points. For example, one scoring card might reward points for each park block adjacent to a commercial block.
City Layout: The overall layout of the city can affect the score. Players should aim to minimize the number of roads, as each separate road deducts points from the score.

In summary, a player’s turn in Sprawlopolis involves drawing a card, placing a card into the city, and then passing the turn. Strategic choices related to block type management, scoring card conditions, and city layout play a crucial role in achieving a high score.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

Sprawlopolis is a cooperative game in which players work together to build the best possible city. The game ends when players have placed the last of their 18 City Cards.

Once the last card has been placed, the final scoring takes place. Before this, however, players must ensure that all the necessary actions have been completed:

Placement of Cards: All cards must be placed within the city grid. This means that every card must be connected to at least one other card, either horizontally or vertically, not diagonally.
Completion of Roads: All roads must end either at the edge of the city or at an intersection. Roads cannot simply stop in the middle of the city.
Block Formation: Blocks are formed by groups of connected cards of the same colour. Blocks must contain at least one card and can be of any shape, as long as all the cards in the block are touching vertically or horizontally.

After these actions have been taken, the final score can be calculated. The victory conditions for Sprawlopolis are as follows:

Scoring Points: At the end of the game, players gain points equal to the total number of blocks in their largest group of each of the four colours.
Deducting Points: Players also lose points equal to the total number of roads in their city.
Scoring Conditions: Each game of Sprawlopolis comes with 3 Scoring Condition cards. These cards provide unique ways to score additional points. The conditions can range from having a certain number of blocks in a row, to having a specific arrangement of cards. These conditions are revealed at the start of the game, giving players the opportunity to plan their city accordingly.

If the players’ total score is equal to or higher than the target score (which is calculated based on the 3 Scoring Condition cards), they win the game. If their score is lower than the target score, they lose.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In the game of Sprawlopolis, players work together to build the best city. The scoring system is based on the combination of the goals on the 3 scoring cards chosen at the start of the game and the number of blocks in the largest area of each type of zone in your city.

Scoring Card Goals:

Each game of Sprawlopolis comes with 18 unique scoring cards, each with a different scoring rule. At the start of the game, 3 of these are chosen randomly and their scores are combined to become the target score players must meet or exceed. The scoring conditions on these cards may involve specific arrangements of blocks or types of zones.

Area Scoring:

In addition to the scoring cards, players also score points based on the size of their city’s zones. Each zone (Industrial, Commercial, Residential, and Park) in your city scores points equal to the square of the number of blocks in your largest area of that type. For example, if your largest Industrial zone is 3 blocks, you would score 9 points for your Industrial zones.

Penalties:

Isolated Roads: At the end of the game, you lose 1 point for every road in your city that is not connected to another road. A road is considered isolated if it is not connected to another road at either end.

Unfulfilled Goals: If you do not meet or exceed the combined target score from the 3 scoring cards, you lose the game regardless of your other points.

Tie-Breaking Rules:

In the event of a tie, the player with the fewest road sections wins. If there is still a tie, the player who went first wins.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

Sprawlopolis is a dynamic and engaging city-building card game. Despite its simple mechanics, there are a few specific rules, exceptions, and clarifications that players should be aware of.

Roads: In Sprawlopolis, roads can end at the edge of your city, and they don’t necessarily need to connect to another road. However, a road is considered continuous only if it’s unbroken by blocks or city edges.

Scoring: Players need to pay close attention to scoring. Each scoring card specifies a unique condition, and the city must meet these conditions to earn points. Remember that you must also subtract points for each road in the city. The highest scoring player is the winner.

Block Placement: When placing new blocks, at least one square must touch a square of a block already in the city. Blocks don’t have to match the type of block they are touching, but matching blocks can help you score more points.

Cooperative Play: In a cooperative game, players work together to build the city. They must meet the conditions on all three scoring cards to win. If the total score (after subtracting points for roads) is less than the number of cards in the deck at the start of the game, the players lose.

Exception: In a single-player game, the player must meet the conditions on all three scoring cards and achieve a score higher than the number of cards in the deck to win.
Clarification: In the cooperative game, players cannot share or reveal the cards in their hands.

Expansion Packs: Several expansion packs are available for Sprawlopolis that introduce new rules and challenges. Players should read the rules for each expansion pack carefully, as they can significantly alter gameplay.

Exception: Some expansions may have rules that override the base game rules. Always prioritize an expansion’s rule if a conflict arises.
Clarification: Expansion pack rules only apply when that specific expansion is in play.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

Sprawlopolis is a compact, strategic, and highly replayable city-building game. Here are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, common mistakes to avoid, and ways to optimize your gameplay.

Advanced Strategies:

Plan Ahead: Always keep in mind the scoring conditions of the game. Aim to maximize points by focusing on the three scoring cards at the start of the game.
Coordinate with Others: In a cooperative game, it’s essential to communicate and coordinate with other players. Everyone should have a clear understanding of the common goal.
Manage Your Blocks: Try to keep your city as compact as possible. Larger blocks of the same type will score more points.

Beginner Tips:

Understand Scoring: Remember that at the end of the game, you lose points for each road in your city. So, try to keep your roads as consolidated as possible.
Use Your Cards Wisely: Each card can be used in four ways, so take your time to decide the best use for each card.
Keep It Compact: Aim for a compact city. Spreading out too much can cost you valuable points.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Ignoring Scoring Conditions: Don’t forget to constantly refer back to the scoring conditions. Ignoring them can lead to a loss of points.
Forgetting About Roads: Roads can easily be overlooked but remember that they can cost you points. Minimize the number of roads in your city.
Not Planning Ahead: Don’t play cards without a strategy. Always have a plan for your city layout.

Optimizing Gameplay:

Practice: The best way to improve your gameplay is by practicing. The more you play, the more you’ll understand the game’s intricacies.
Strategic Thinking: Always think a few steps ahead. Consider how your current move will impact future turns.
Adapt: Be flexible and ready to adapt your strategy based on the scoring conditions and the cards you draw.