There are a number of games that utilize abstract tile placement and find success in the way it works for board games. The playstyle and mechanics sometimes can look the same but there is room for lots of different ways to explore this type of game. Today we are going to take a look at a game that brings it to a new level and not only plays well but also fits in a solid theme. Let’s explore the Neotopia!
Neotopia is a 2-4 player game designed by Andre Santos and Orlando Sa. It is illustrated by Tiago Lobo Pimentel. It is published by Arcane Wonders from MEBO Games.
Overview:
The year is 2055 and we are part of a group of multiple entrepreneurs who are taking on the role of development of the most advanced city on the planet. You will use the elements produced from the various factories to build project cards and see who has the most success in the three regions of the city!
Gameplay:
In this game each player takes on the role of an entrepreneur with a specific color and starts with their character’s card, action marker and scoring markers. Tracking scoring in each region, players set up bonus tokens in the regions and set up the production factory in the middle with the tile number based on the player count.
On a player’s turn they must take three actions. There are two different actions you can pick from and you can repeat them any number of times up do a total of three actions. The two actions are:
1-Draw 1 project card or from the top of the deck into your hand.
2-Move 1 element available from one factory into an adjacent region.
These actions are repeated in a total of three for a player’s turn. Placement of elements may kick a bonus token to your possession or may cause the factory to empty. If any of the factory wings empties, the production tile is immediately emptied into that wing. This gives you more options potentially on your turn before it ends.
You can build a project card and score it if you have met a pattern in a region after placing an element. You match the pattern, score the points and make sure it doesn’t match the previously played pattern in that region. Once a player’s turn ends, you replenish any cards that were taken from the row of project cards.
The game continues until the end is triggered and the last production tile is flipped over. The round will continue so all players can finish the round then a final one is played. Scoring is completed so that players receive a point for each element token of their color in the biggest cluster in each region. The region with the lowest score is multiplied by three and any extra bonus tokens are worth three points. The player with the most points in the game will be the winner!
Impressions:
Neotopia is a board game that did exactly what it promises when you look at it: it is a tight abstract game that will challenge you to really think through the gameplay and step out your turns in a brain-burning but fun kind of way! The game is challenging but not so much that you can’t figure out best plays and moves to plan ahead. In a two player game the moves are even tighter as you jockey back and forth with what to best do and how to best move yourself into good positions.
The design and style of the game is great, I especially love the quality of the tiles for the elements in the game. They are colorful and well-made and will remind you of a component you would expect to find in a Kickstarter or deluxe level of the game. I really love the design of the board as well, the even three regions are a fun style and one that stands out on the board.
We introduced this to a gamer who is relatively new to board games in the strategy/hobby region but they picked up on it quickly and really enjoyed the gameplay and style of this and felt like it was something they would like in other games. So it has been a good on-boarding game for introduction of abstract gaming and one that I would recommend as a great jump in point for a lot of newer players in your life as well.
Overall Neotopia does exactly what you expect: a solid entry into abstract play, excellent design and gameplay and an entry point that is smooth for a variety of gamers. We recommend this one for your next game night!
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