Happy City

Cocktail Games, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, Broadway Toys LTD · Board game · 2021
2–5 · best 3 20–30 min Weight 1.3/5
6.9 rating Ludopedia
6.6 rating BGG
Buy · from US$ 17.43
6.9 rating Ludopedia
6.6 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

A fast-paced and visually charming city-builder, perfect for families and fillers.

Highlights
  • Quick and dynamic
  • Easy to teach
  • Very colorful art
  • Great for beginners
Keep in mind
  • Can be very short
  • Limited direct interaction
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.

About the game

What you do in a play session

Ever dreamed of being the mayor of a tiny town that grows into a thriving metropolis? In Happy City, your main mission is to build a vibrant civilization, one card at a time. The goal is easy to grasp but requires real strategy: you need to collect 10 buildings to complete your city, but just building anything won't cut it. You have to make sure your citizens are actually happy! How? By managing your income wisely and carefully selecting each building.

The gameplay is incredibly smooth and fast-paced. At the start of each round, you receive coins based on the income symbols on your cards (the income phase). Then comes the fun: you can discard buildings from the market, reveal new cards from the decks, or choose between buying a new building or simply saving your cash for later. Just a heads-up: no duplicate buildings allowed in your city!

For those looking for more depth, there's an 'expert version' that cranks up the interaction and strategic tension. The game ends as soon as someone hits their 10th building. That's when the magic happens: you multiply your number of citizens by the total number of hearts (happiness) on your cards. The highest score wins! It's a light, visually appealing game, perfect for introducing newcomers to the hobby or as a quick filler between heavier sessions.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

3 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–5 players
2 REC
3 BEST
4 BEST
5 OK

Where to Buy

Prices monitored daily

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena
Publisher Cocktail Games, ADC Blackfire Entertainment, Broadway Toys LTD, Coiledspring Games, Game Factory, Gamewright, Ghenos Games, Happy Baobab, Lifestyle Boardgames Ltd, Rebel Sp. z o.o., Reflexshop, Ігромаг
Designer Airu Sato, Toshiki Sato
Artist たかみまこと (Makoto Takami)

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

4,929owners
488wishlist
51want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
Is the game too hard for kids?
Not at all! It has a specific family version that is super accessible.
How long does a game last?
It's very quick, usually between 20 to 30 minutes.
How many players can play?
2 to 5 players having a blast.
Does it require a lot of strategy?
It depends! The standard version is light, but the expert version requires more focus.
What do I get if I don't buy anything?
You take one coin from the bank to use later!

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