Underwater Cities
- Designer Vladimír Suchý
- Publisher Delicious Games , Arrakis Games , Atalia , Games7Days , Gém Klub Kft.
- Illustration Milan Vavroň , Uildrim
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
You build personal underwater cities using card placement to take slot actions and card benefits. Resource intake, constructing domes, tunnels and production buildings, and upgrading facilities drive the gameplay. Initiative matters—turn order affects available actions—and multiple routes to victory exist through buildings and end-game bonuses. unsere Datenbank lists about 30–45 minutes per player.
Who Is This Game For?
A game for hobby gamers who like engine-building and planning: supports 1–4 players with a solo mode. Minimum age 12 suggests moderate complexity. With a total listed duration around 150 minutes, it's suited for longer game nights.
How It Works
The core is Card Placement: three colored cards are placed in slots on the main board and players choose which slot to claim, gaining both the slot action and the card's advantage. Mechanics include Hand Management, Income and Network and Route Building for connecting tunnels and facilities. Turn Order: Claim Action controls initiative. End Game Bonuses contribute to final scoring.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Vladimír Suchý, Underwater Cities blends tableau-like card play with city building. It was nominated for multiple Golden Geek awards in 2018 and won the Swiss Gamers Award in 2018. The mixture of slot actions plus card effects differentiates it from straightforward eurogames.
Awards
2018
- 2021 MinD-Spielepreis — Winner
- 2019 Cardboard Republic Tactician Laurel — Nominated
- 2018 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated
- 2018 Swiss Gamers Award — Winner
Pro
- Strong Card Placement and tableau elements (Hand Management, Tableau Building)
- Multiple strategic paths via buildings and End Game Bonuses
- Supports solo play (players.min = 1)
- Multiple 2018 award nominations and Swiss Gamers Award 2018 winner
Contra
- Long playtime (around 150 minutes) requires commitment
- Moderate-to-high complexity; steeper learning curve for new players
Setting & Atmosphäre
Humanity shifts to undersea settlements in a near-future/SCI-FI nautical setting as a response to overpopulation. The theme centers on domes, tunnels and production infrastructure beneath the waves.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Learn how slot actions and card advantages interact first, and treat initiative as a strategic resource rather than an afterthought.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Yes. indicates a solo/solitaire mode.
How long does a game really take?
unsere Datenbank reports about 30–45 minutes per player; the overall duration is listed around 150 minutes.
What prior experience do I need?
Minimum age 12 and mechanics like Hand Management suggest moderate complexity; some experience with engine-building helps.
How does this compare to similar games?
It combines Card Placement and City Building with an initiative Claim Action, making its card-slot interaction a distinguishing feature.
Is this suitable for families?
Because of length and complexity, it's better suited to experienced family gamers and older children (12+).
What mechanic makes it special?
The Card Placement system that grants both slot actions and card benefits is the standout mechanic.
Fazit
Underwater Cities is a deep, planning-heavy game for players who enjoy engine construction and card-driven choices; solo play is supported. Casual groups may find playtime and complexity demanding.
