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Underwater Cities

Underwater Cities is a strategic board game for 1-4 players where players build underwater cities, manage resources, and complete objectives to score points. It features card drafting, worker placement, and engine building mechanics.

8.06 / 10
BGG Rating
12+
age
2018
published year
1 - 4
player count
1 - 3
Recommended player count
80 - 150 mins
play time

How Complex is Underwater Cities?

3.59 / 5

Underwater Cities has a moderate complexity with multiple mechanics to learn, but the rulebook is clear and the game flows smoothly after a few rounds.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of Underwater Cities?

2.5 / 5

Luck plays a minor role in Underwater Cities as players have control over their actions and can plan ahead, but there is still some randomness in the card draw and dice rolls for resource production.

How much Player Interaction does Underwater Cities offer?

3.5 / 5

Underwater Cities has limited direct player interaction, but players can block each other's actions and compete for limited resources, making it a moderately interactive game.

How much Replayability does Underwater Cities offer?

4 / 5

Underwater Cities offers high replayability due to the variety of cards and objectives, different player counts, and the ability to customize the game with modular expansions.

Why you should play Underwater Cities

Unique Theme

Underwater Cities has a unique theme of building underwater cities, which is not commonly found in other board games. This makes it a refreshing and exciting game to play.

Strategic Gameplay

The game requires players to carefully plan and manage their resources in order to build their underwater cities. This makes it a great game for those who enjoy strategic gameplay.

Multiple Paths to Victory

Underwater Cities offers multiple paths to victory, which means that players can choose different strategies to win the game. This adds to the replayability of the game.

Engaging Mechanics

The game has engaging mechanics such as card drafting, worker placement, and resource management. These mechanics make the game challenging and fun to play.

Beautiful Artwork

The game has beautiful artwork that captures the underwater theme perfectly. This adds to the overall immersive experience of playing the game.

Solo Play Option

Underwater Cities has a solo play option, which means that players can enjoy the game even if they don't have a group to play with.

Expansion Options

The game has expansion options that add new mechanics and gameplay elements to the base game. This adds to the longevity of the game and keeps it fresh and exciting.

Why you should avoid Underwater Cities

Complexity

Underwater Cities can be a complex game to learn and play, which may not be suitable for casual gamers or those who prefer simpler games.

Lengthy Playtime

The game can take a while to play, especially with a full group of players. This may not be ideal for those who prefer shorter game sessions.

Limited Player Interaction

While the game does have some player interaction, it is not as prominent as in other games. This may not be ideal for those who prefer games with more direct player interaction.

Limited Theme Appeal

The underwater city theme may not appeal to everyone, which may make it difficult to get some players interested in playing the game.

Price

The game can be relatively expensive compared to other board games, which may not be ideal for those on a tight budget.

Where to find the Rules of Underwater Cities

You can find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the Underwater Cities files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for Underwater Cities

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of Underwater Cities.

Focus on building your own city

In Underwater Cities, players are building their own underwater cities. It's important to focus on building your own city and not worry too much about what your opponents are doing. You want to make sure you have a solid foundation before you start worrying about what others are doing.

Plan ahead

Underwater Cities is a game that requires a lot of planning. You need to think several turns ahead and plan your actions accordingly. Make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how you're going to get there.

Balance your resources

In Underwater Cities, you need to balance your resources carefully. You need to make sure you have enough food, energy, and materials to keep your city running smoothly. Don't focus too much on one resource at the expense of others.

Use your cards wisely

Underwater Cities has a card-based system that can be very powerful if used correctly. Make sure you're using your cards to their full potential and don't waste them on actions that won't benefit you in the long run.

Don't neglect the ocean

The ocean is an important part of Underwater Cities. Make sure you're taking advantage of the ocean spaces on the board and using them to your advantage. Don't neglect the ocean in favor of building up your city.

Keep an eye on your opponents

While it's important to focus on building your own city, you also need to keep an eye on what your opponents are doing. Make sure you're aware of their strategies and adjust your own strategy accordingly.

Be flexible

Underwater Cities is a game that requires flexibility. You need to be able to adapt to changing circumstances and adjust your strategy as needed. Don't get too attached to one particular plan and be willing to change course if necessary.

I hope these tips help you get started with Underwater Cities. Good luck and have fun!

Advanced Strategies for Underwater Cities

Focus on synergy

As you become more familiar with the game, you'll start to notice how different cards and actions can work together to create powerful combos. Look for opportunities to create synergies between your cards and actions to maximize their effectiveness.

Prioritize point-scoring opportunities

In Underwater Cities, the ultimate goal is to score points. As you become more experienced, you'll start to recognize which actions and cards are most likely to lead to points. Prioritize these opportunities over other actions that may be less likely to score points.

Pay attention to the endgame

The endgame in Underwater Cities can be unpredictable, so it's important to keep an eye on the endgame conditions and plan accordingly. Make sure you're in a good position to score points in the final rounds of the game.

Take calculated risks

Sometimes, taking a calculated risk can pay off big in Underwater Cities. As you become more experienced, you'll start to recognize when it's worth taking a risk and when it's better to play it safe.

Use your opponents' actions to your advantage

In Underwater Cities, your opponents' actions can sometimes benefit you as well. Keep an eye on what your opponents are doing and look for opportunities to piggyback off their actions to benefit your own city.

Don't forget about the tunnels

The tunnels in Underwater Cities can be a powerful tool if used correctly. Don't neglect them in favor of other actions and make sure you're taking advantage of their potential.

Be mindful of the action spaces

The action spaces on the board in Underwater Cities can be limited, so it's important to be mindful of which spaces are available and plan your actions accordingly. Don't waste actions on spaces that are already occupied or unlikely to benefit you.

I hope these advanced strategies help you take your Underwater Cities gameplay to the next level. Good luck and have fun!

Mechanics

Hand Management
Network and Route Building
Worker Placement
Solo / Solitaire Game
Turn Order: Stat-Based
Turn Order: Claim Action
End Game Bonuses
Income

Categories

Card Game
Nautical
Civilization
Science Fiction
City Building
Industry / Manufacturing