Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED
Perfect for those who love fast negotiation games and want something different from the 'every man for himself' style. The balance between the two cities creates great tension!
Highlights
- Unique and fun cooperation dynamic
- Fast and fluid gameplay
- Supports large groups (up to 7 players)
- Simple rules and easy to teach
Keep in mind
- Heavily dependent on neighbor interaction
- Draft luck can be frustrating
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Imagine you're a visionary architect with a slight complication: you're designing two cities at once! In Between Two Cities, the dynamic is curious and cooperative... but with a twist of ego. You don't play alone; you work with the player to your left to build one city and, simultaneously, with the player to your right to build another. The catch? Your final score is based on the city that performed WORST. In other words, if you build a stunning metropolis on one side and a crumbling village on the other, your score is that of the village. The secret to victory is balance!
During the game, you select two tiles from your hand and reveal them. Then the negotiation begins: you and your partners decide which tile goes into which city. It's that classic moment of 'Hey, help me out here, this tile is perfect for our left-side city!'. The Essential Edition is the definitive version, combining the base game and the Capitals expansion into one cohesive package. It features refreshed art and a scorepad to make things easier, but the core gameplay remains the same. If you already own the original game and the expansion, there are no new rules here, but for newcomers, it's the best way to jump in.
With fast-paced games lasting about 30 minutes and support for up to 7 players (or even a solo mode), it's a light game that still requires strategic thinking and plenty of conversation. You'll need to manage your hand, plan tile placement, and, above all, convince your neighbors to cooperate. It's an exercise in urban diplomacy where architectural grandeur is the goal, but the lowest common denominator is what determines the winner.
During the game, you select two tiles from your hand and reveal them. Then the negotiation begins: you and your partners decide which tile goes into which city. It's that classic moment of 'Hey, help me out here, this tile is perfect for our left-side city!'. The Essential Edition is the definitive version, combining the base game and the Capitals expansion into one cohesive package. It features refreshed art and a scorepad to make things easier, but the core gameplay remains the same. If you already own the original game and the expansion, there are no new rules here, but for newcomers, it's the best way to jump in.
With fast-paced games lasting about 30 minutes and support for up to 7 players (or even a solo mode), it's a light game that still requires strategic thinking and plenty of conversation. You'll need to manage your hand, plan tile placement, and, above all, convince your neighbors to cooperate. It's an exercise in urban diplomacy where architectural grandeur is the goal, but the lowest common denominator is what determines the winner.
Gallery
Box and component photos
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Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
OK
2
OK
3
REC
4
REC
5
BEST
6
BEST
7
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Publisher
Stonemaier Games, Ghenos Games
Designer
Ben Rosset, Matthew O'Malley
Artist
Agnieszka Dabrowiecka, Beth Sobel, Laura Bevon, Ossi Hiekkala
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
1,524owners
264wishlist
44want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is the game hard to learn?
Not at all! The rules are very simple and the game flows quickly. It's great for introducing people who don't play many board games.
How long does a game take?
About 30 minutes. It's perfect as a filler between larger games or for playing multiple rounds in a row.
Can I play solo?
Yes, the game includes a solo mode for those who want to test their planning skills without needing neighbors.
What's different in the Essential Edition?
It bundles the base game and the Capitals expansion, features new art on some tiles, and replaces the board with a scorepad.
Who is this game for?
For those who enjoy tile placement, love negotiating, and prefer social, light gaming experiences.
Is it all strategy or just luck?
There's luck in the tile draft, but the strategy lies in how you negotiate and balance the scores of your two cities.
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