Citizens of the Spark
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- Designer Philip duBarry
- Publisher Thunderworks Games , Rexhry
- Illustration Diego Sá
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You recruit animal citizens into your city tableau, group like citizens to strengthen their actions, and activate citizens to claim sparks. The game mixes open drafting, melding and splaying, and set collection so each play uses different citizen types and action combos. Activating a citizen lets other players follow and activate a matching citizen in their tableau. The winner is the player with the most sparks when the deck runs out.
Who Is This Game For?
For experienced gamers who enjoy tableau-building card games and engine-style development: the game uses Variable Set-up and Layering and rewards planning. With an approximate 60-minute playtime it fits a normal game night; a solo mode is included (Solo / Solitaire Game). Some familiarity with drafting and set-collection mechanics helps.
How It Works
Citizens of the Spark uses Open Drafting and Variable Set-up: a selection of citizen types is chosen and combined into a shared deck. On your turn you recruit groups of cards into your city tableau (Melding and Splaying / Tableau Building) and group matching citizens to boost their action value (Increase Value of Unchosen Resources / Layering). When you activate a citizen you take its effect and discard it; other players may Follow and activate a matching citizen. The goal is to collect more sparks than opponents through recruitment and activation.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Philip duBarry, the game offers a pool of distinct animal citizens (30 available) from which a variable subset is used each game, creating unique action synergies. The interplay of Open Drafting, Melding and Splaying and the Follow mechanic defines player interaction. The theme centers on anthropomorphic animals in a city setting.
Pro
- Variable setup yields high variety and replayability
- Tableau-building plus set collection enables engine-like growth
- Follow mechanic creates interactive activations
- Includes a solo mode
Contra
- Learning curve due to varied citizen abilities
- Requires time commitment for the roughly 60-minute playtime
Setting & atmosphere
The game is set in a city inhabited by anthropomorphic animals touched by a spark of intelligence. Categories include Science-Fiction and Animals, with an urban theme.
Tips for beginners
Focus on grouping like citizens in your tableau and learn how the Follow mechanic affects timing before planning complex combos.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The game data includes 'Solo / Solitaire Game' and players.min = 1, so solo play is supported.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 60 minutes; setup and explanation will add some time.
What prior experience do I need?
Experience with drafting, set-collection, or tableau-building card games is useful because of the variable setups and different citizen powers.
How does this compare to similar games?
It blends Open Drafting with Melding and Splaying plus a Follow mechanic, emphasizing activations that other players can copy.
Is this suitable for families?
With min_age = 14 the game targets older teens and adult players rather than young children.
What mechanic makes it special?
The mix of Variable Set-up, Melding and Splaying and Follow shapes the gameplay and variety of action combos.
Fazit
A solid choice for players who like tableau-based card design with variable setups. Recommended if you enjoy drafting and set-collection; less so if you prefer very short games.
Citizens of the Spark at your next game night?
Add Citizens of the Spark to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Citizens of the Spark to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
