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As one of the queen’s esteemed city planners, you’ve been summoned for a task of grand importance: designing magnificent new cities for her people. But there’s a twist! These cities must embody harmony, blending human ingenuity with the natural world, as dictated by tradition. Think lush green parks nestled alongside sleek buildings, all perfectly arranged to please the queen’s discerning eye. But it’s not just about impressing the queen; you’re also competing against fellow planners to create the most breathtaking city of them all. Are you ready to outsmart your rivals and craft a masterpiece?
👥 1-5 players, ages 8+
⌛ Playing time: 30 minutes
📝 Designers: Uwe Rosenberg
🎨 Artwork: Makoto Takami
🏢 Publisher: Geronimo Games (Dutch/French/German version, review copy provided) Originally published by Korea Boardgames.
Gameplay Overview
Tangram City unfolds over six rounds, with each round bringing new challenges and opportunities to shape your city. Every round, four cards are dealt to the players, offering a glimpse of the shapes you’ll need to construct. Starting with the first player, each card is revealed one by one. As a card is flipped, all players must place the corresponding tile in their city.
Here’s the catch: tiles must fit within the grid on your city board, but they don’t need to cover a full square. Half squares are totally fair game! This makes it possible to form squares that combine both black and green tiles, making your decisions a little trickier.
Once all four tiles are placed, the real fun begins. It’s time to add a fountain tile and score the round. Points are awarded based on the largest fully built rectangle you’ve constructed on your board. But wait, there’s more! You also evaluate your city’s balance between human-made (black) and natural (green) areas. Be careful, though, as any tiles that mix black and green don’t count towards this harmony score.
After five regular rounds, you enter the grand finale. Only three cards remain, and they’re revealed at the center of the table for all players to use. Everyone places these final tiles before scoring one last time.
The game doesn’t stop there. Bonus points await those who successfully complete a 7-by-7 grid on their city board. And finally, the queen’s ultimate demand for harmony comes into play. Cities that strike the perfect balance between nature and human elements are rewarded handsomely, so don’t neglect this crucial aspect of your design. The player with the most points at the end of the game earns the title of the queen’s top city planner and claims victory!
Game Info
Tangram City is a family-friendly game for 1-5 players, suitable for ages 8 and up. Designed by the renowned Uwe Rosenberg, this puzzle game can be completed in about 30-40 minutes, making it an excellent choice for a quick gaming session with friends or family. Originally released in 2023 by Korea Boardgames, it’s now also available in a Dutch/French edition thanks to Geronimo Games, who generously provided us with a copy for this review.
Components, Production, and Artwork
Let’s start by unpacking what’s inside the box. Each player gets their own city board and a set of 23 double-sided tiles shaped like tangrams. There’s also a stack of cards to drive gameplay, fountain tiles to complete your cityscape, and small balance markers. The materials are robust, with tiles and cards that feel solid and durable. The city boards hold up well, even after repeated use. That said, the balance markers are a bit on the fiddly side. If you’ve got clumsy fingers like mine, they might feel like playing a game of “Don’t Drop the Marker!”
The artwork by Makoto Takami leans into an Eastern aesthetic. While it’s functional and keeps the gameplay clear, it’s not exactly eye-catching. The visuals feel a bit generic and could use a splash of flair to match the creative gameplay. It’s like a practical city planner’s dream but maybe not one for an artist’s gallery.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Tangram City is remarkably easy to teach, making it perfect for families and casual gamers. The rules are straightforward, so you’ll spend less time reading the manual and more time diving into the puzzle.
Players take turns placing tiles to form rectangles while balancing nature (green tiles) with human-made structures (black tiles). The clever twist lies in the tangram-inspired pieces, which force you to think outside the usual polyomino box. Each tile is double-sided, so flipping it not only changes its color but also its orientation, which creates a satisfying little challenge for your brain.
At the start of each round, players receive a mix of face-up and face-down cards. With some cards out in the open and others kept secret, you’ll find yourself planning carefully while trying to stay one step ahead of the surprises. The player in the lead reveals their card first, which gives those trailing a chance to adjust their strategy, which is a subtle but effective way to keep things competitive.
You’re free to place tiles anywhere on your board, but if you want to score big, connecting them into one massive rectangle is the way to go. Observing your opponents’ moves can also give you hints about their strategy, though the game leans more toward individual planning than direct interaction.
Interaction and Replayability
Tangram City is a solitary experience at its core. Each player focuses on their own city board, and the competition comes down to final scores. If you’re someone who loves scheming against opponents, this game might feel a little too peaceful. But for those who prefer working on their own masterpiece without interruptions, it’s a perfect fit.
Replayability could be a bit limited since the tiles and objectives don’t vary much between sessions. Once you’ve played a few times, you might start to feel like a seasoned city planner who’s seen it all. That said, the puzzle itself is so satisfying that it’s worth revisiting when you’re in the mood for a quick mental workout.
Final Thoughts
Tangram City is a light puzzle game with just enough depth to keep things interesting, but without the stress of managing complex interactions. If you’re a fan of games where you can quietly focus on your own board while still feeling a sense of competition, this might be your next favorite. Sure, it’s a bit on the abstract side, and the artwork won’t win any design awards, but the clever tile-placement mechanics more than make up for it. Whether you’re trying to construct the perfect rectangle or achieving harmony between nature and buildings, there’s always a satisfying challenge to tackle. So, if you enjoy puzzle games and don’t mind a touch of solitude, Tangram City could be just the kind of relaxing yet brain-teasing game you’ve been looking for.
📝 We received a copy of the game from Geronimo Games for review purposes.
