Today we’re diving into Foundations of Metropolis. This city-building board game from Emerson Matsui & Arcane Wonders streamlines the bigger Foundations of Rome into a more accessible experience. So, let’s break it down – what it is, what’s good, what’s bad, & if you should pick it up. Let’s get into it.
What It Is
Foundations of Metropolis is a city-building board game designed for 2-4 players, with each session taking about 60 minutes. The goal is simple—build the most prestigious city by constructing buildings, managing resources, & earning victory points. Players will compete over three rounds (or “years”) by purchasing deeds, placing & upgrading buildings, & collecting income. It condenses the mechanics of its predecessor while still offering satisfying strategic depth.
Gameplay Overview
In this game, you play as an aspiring architect trying to prove your worth in a rapidly growing city. Your goal is to claim empty lots, construct buildings, & earn the most prestige. Through strategic decisions, you’ll buy deeds, build structures, & accumulate wealth & prestige in this highly competitive game. The player with the most prestige by the end of the game emerges victorious.
The game is set up by placing the double-sided city board in the center of the play area. Depending on the number of players, different sections of the board are used: two players use white spaces, three players add brown spaces, & four players use the entire board. Each player takes a player board along with 24 building tiles in their chosen color. These tiles are arranged neatly in their designated spaces, making setup & storage easier between plays. The game also provides a score & deed board to track your progress throughout the game. After all players have their components & coins (with later players receiving slightly more), the game begins.
Each player starts with a set of deed cards that correspond to specific spaces on the city board. These represent the lots players own & on which they can eventually construct buildings. Players place their lot markers on these matching spaces, & then the deed cards are organized into decks for each of the game’s three years (or rounds). As the game progresses, new deeds will become available for purchase, allowing players to expand their influence over the city.
On a player’s turn, they can choose one of three actions: buy a deed, construct a building, or take income. Buying a deed allows players to claim more lots on the city board, expanding their future building opportunities. When buying a deed, the player pays the cost shown, takes the card, & places one of their lot markers on the newly acquired space. Players are limited by the number of lot markers they have, so planning when & where to purchase deeds is crucial for success.
Constructing buildings is the primary way players earn prestige & money. To build, players must place a structure from their player board onto adjacent lots they own, matching the shape & size of the building. Buildings come in various sizes, & larger structures often provide better rewards. If a player runs out of available space, they can also replace older buildings with larger ones, adding another layer of strategy to the game. Constructed buildings can provide population growth or monetary bonuses, depending on their type.
The third action, taking income, grants players $5 plus any additional income from their constructed buildings. This action is key to gathering enough funds to buy more deeds or construct more significant structures, keeping players financially flexible as they advance through the game.
At the end of each year, players score based on their constructed buildings. Commercial buildings generate money, while civic & residential buildings earn prestige. Civic buildings gain prestige based on adjacent structures, while residential buildings score by comparing population levels between players. The player with the highest population earns additional prestige each year, incentivizing players to focus on building homes & attracting citizens to their city.
After three years, the game concludes with a final round of scoring, where commercial buildings turn their income into prestige points. The player with the most prestige at the end is declared the winner, having built the most successful & renowned city in Foundations of Metropolis.
The Components
The component quality in Foundations of Metropolis is impressive. Each player has a tray to store their buildings & markers, making setup a breeze. The building tiles are clear & easy to read, showing their effects on income, population, & prestige at a glance. The city board is laid out well, making it easy to track what’s going on.
The only small gripe here is with the card quality. While functional, they could be a bit thicker or have a more premium feel. It’s not a huge issue, but it’s something you might notice if you play a lot of games that focus heavily on high-quality components.
The Good
One of the best things about Foundations of Metropolis is its accessibility. The rules are easy to grasp, & it’s quick to teach, making it a great entry point for new players while still offering enough depth for veterans. The game flows smoothly, with every decision having a noticeable impact on the outcome, which makes each turn feel meaningful.
Another highlight is the player interaction. Competing for prime lots & strategically placing buildings can directly affect your opponents’ scoring opportunities. The population track adds even more interaction, with players vying for the top spots to score bonuses. The dynamic between competing for space & balancing your strategy makes the game feel alive.
Replayability is solid, too. With different strategies to explore & a variety of player interactions, no two games will play out exactly the same. The modular city setup keeps things fresh, & there’s always room to try new approaches to city-building.
The Bad
As much as I enjoyed the game, there are a couple of minor drawbacks. First, while the components are great overall, the cards feel a little thin. A thicker or more premium finish would’ve added to the overall experience. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth noting.
Additionally, while the game has a good amount of depth, it’s possible that some players might want even more variety over time. Though the core game offers plenty, adding expansions or extra content could help keep things fresh in the long run, especially for groups that play it frequently.
The Verdict
So, should you buy Foundations of Metropolis? If you enjoy city-building games, absolutely. It’s a fantastic blend of accessibility & strategic depth, with smooth mechanics that are easy to pick up but still reward careful planning. The player interaction & modular city layout keep things engaging, making this a great addition to any game collection.
For those looking for a city-building game that doesn’t take all night but still offers a lot of rewarding decisions, Foundations of Metropolis delivers. Whether you’re playing with new gamers or seasoned veterans, this one’s a solid choice.
Final Thoughts
Foundations of Metropolis delivers a well-balanced city-building experience that manages to appeal to both newcomers & seasoned players. The game is easy to teach, & the rules are straightforward, making it a great option for casual gaming sessions. At the same time, it’s complex enough to keep more strategic-minded players engaged, thanks to its layers of decision-making around income, prestige points, & population growth. The variety of strategies you can pursue really adds depth without making the gameplay feel overwhelming.
What I enjoyed most is the constant need to think ahead—timing your building purchases, positioning for bonuses, & managing your population to stay competitive all offer interesting choices. There’s also a good amount of interaction between players, especially when you’re competing for lots or strategically placing buildings to influence scoring. It’s not an aggressive game, but there’s enough player interaction to keep you on your toes, which keeps the experience dynamic.
One of the standout aspects is how quick the game is to set up & play. You can get it on the table & rolling in no time, making it perfect for shorter game nights or if you’re looking to fit in multiple plays. The aesthetic is pleasing as well, with a fresh visual style that complements the city-building theme without feeling too busy. While the switch from 3D miniatures to 2D tiles is noticeable, it doesn’t detract from the game’s overall appeal. In fact, the change makes the game more affordable & easier to transport, which I think is a smart move for broadening its audience.
For those who already own Foundations of Rome, this game still offers something new, particularly with its smaller, more portable form factor. It’s much easier to bring along to a friend’s house or a game night. However, if you’re used to the expanded gameplay that the Monuments expansion & other modules bring to Foundations of Rome, you might feel like some of that extra depth is missing here. But for a more streamlined version, it holds up well on its own.
The absence of the expansions from Foundations of Rome is noticeable, especially if you’re a fan of the additional mechanics they introduced. That said, the core gameplay here is strong enough that it still feels complete. If portability & price are important to you, Foundations of Metropolis is a great alternative without losing the heart of the original.
Overall, this game finds a nice middle ground between accessibility & strategic depth. It’s enjoyable for a variety of players, whether you’re looking for a lighter city-builder or something with a bit more to think about. While it may not fully satisfy fans of the original game who crave those expansions, it’s a solid standalone experience that fits easily into game nights & brings plenty of fun to the table.
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