Shocking instruction
I thought no game would surprise me anymore, but after reading Cloud City’s manual , I was so shocked that it took a long time to recover. I saw these amazing constructions in the pictures, and all the time I was thinking about how to win this game … but what Phil Walker-Harding offered, I was completely unexpected.
So what are the rules? In our turn, we choose one of the three tiles, add it and build skyscrapers in one of the three sizes in the marked places. Then, if they are of the same type and standing in a straight line, we can connect them by a path. Finally, we choose another tile and that’s it. How to win? Hmm, we get points for placed connections and that’s it. Very simple, although of course there are some rules that make it difficult for us to build. For example, only two roads may come out of one skyscraper. Moreover, it is obvious that lower buildings can be blocked by taller buildings. I will not hide that I expected something more ambitious and original. Fortunately, the author added an advanced variant that introduces cards to the game, and thus additional scoring methods.
The city rising above the clouds
I love Phil Walker-Harding’s games; every one I have played so far has always amazed me. Meanwhile, the first batch of Cloud City disappointed me with its simplicity and a few flaws that I will mention later. Fortunately, the next game changed my attitude towards this position. I have to admit that building your city is rewarding, especially the end result is amazing. Often the connections between high-rise buildings create an ingenious maze. In addition, we compete with other players for the longest paths (only three of each color are available), which will bring the most points, and it is worth emphasizing that creating a connection of the size of eight fields is demanding, especially on the lower floors.
The cards introduce interesting variations to the game and significantly affect the shape of our city. For example, they may encourage us to create one path and sometimes to make loops. The variety of challenges deserves praise. Namely, we can compete with others for six points, which only the best player will get, or get VPs for meeting a condition. There are also cards that take victory points (e.g. for skyscrapers without connections).
When the sewer explodes … a cesspool runs out
Cloud City has several distinct shortcomings. First of all: the box is clearly too small. The highest skyscrapers meet there. Thus, packing the game can be tiring. The tray for tiles and connections works only halfway, as path tokens mix easily in it.
Second: building these structures requires delicacy, because one ill-considered move is enough and the whole city will fall apart. Unfortunately, at times, Cloud City resembles a game of chess pieces. It can be fun or frustrating, it all depends on our approach to this position. Although it is worth emphasizing that with each subsequent game, laying paths is much easier.
Third: in terms of rules, the base option seems even too simple. I like family games, but here I had the impression that the author did not fully use the potential of this project. After building an amazing city in the clouds, I would expect a more original scoring than just counting the VPs printed on the paths connecting the skyscrapers. It is a pity that, for example, putting up low, blue constructions is not additionally rewarded. It cannot be denied that everyone is drawn to the construction of the tallest, yellow skyscrapers, because the easiest way to achieve a connection of five and eight points is when placing them.
Finally, I would like to mention that the instruction (in which I found a typo in the author’s name) should explain all the details, and in the case of the longest scoring card, there was no information that the yellow color was not taken into account.
Would I like to live in the Cloud City?
Despite my initial disappointment, I ended up getting to like Cloud City. This is by no means one of Phil Walker-Harding’s best works, but it has its own unique charm. You can really do a good job at times, and the competition for eighths can be fierce, as well as the bonus points from the cards. I see a lot of potential in this game that has not been fully realized. Nevertheless, thanks to the expansion, the title gains in replayability and complexity. Cloud City is a fun, rewarding and addictive board game.
I recommend everyone to check for yourself whether this type of gameplay suits you. After all, not everyone likes arcade elements in logic games. After my initial disappointment, I can only say that I do not regret in the end that I undertook this review. I will say more; although after the first game I was willing to give the game a light hand, after each subsequent game I strengthened my resolve that I would not get rid of it so easily.
