Metropolis

About this board game

Metropolis is a negotiation-focused city-building game for 2–5 players, with sessions lasting about 90 minutes. Designed by Sid Sackson and released in 1984, it challenges players to construct the best buildings in a rapidly growing city.

The game board depicts a collection of city blocks divided into smaller properties. On each turn, players choose one property and attempt to work out a deal for placing a new structure on the board. Negotiation is central to the experience, as each property choice can shape the developing city and the opportunities available to everyone.

Building value is determined by the types of buildings located in the same block. A structure’s worth therefore depends not only on where it is placed, but also on the surrounding urban mix. A school and an apartment building, for example, both receive bonuses when they exist together.

• Players: 2–5
• Play time: approximately 90 minutes
• Core focus: property selection, deal-making, and building combinations
• Setting: a city represented by blocks divided into individual properties

These connected valuation rules make every new structure part of a larger city-wide calculation. Players must consider the immediate deal while also watching how different building types can benefit one another within a block.

With its growing map and emphasis on negotiated placement, Metropolis presents a distinctive take on the negotiation genre. It rewards players who can turn individual property deals into valuable building relationships across the developing city.