Lightning City: Tokyo

Nürnberger-Spielkarten-Verlag · Board game · 2026
1–12 Solo 20–30 min
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Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

A perfect risk-taking urban planner game for those who love balancing profit and safety!

Highlights
  • Fast-paced and frantic
  • Constant push-your-luck tension
  • Stunning Tokyo theme
  • Great for large groups
Keep in mind
  • Heavy reliance on dice luck
  • Very short playtime
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready to watch the Tokyo skyline transform right before your eyes! In Lightning City: Tokyo, you step into the shoes of an ambitious urban planner tasked with erecting increasingly tall skyscrapers across the Japanese metropolis. But don't think it's just about stacking blocks! There's a dangerous storm brewing, and it's no joke. Each round, you'll roll a pool of dice to determine which rooms you can build and which street numbers they belong to. The twist? Your success heavily depends on the scoring cards in play, so you'll need to arrange those rooms to maximize your points by the end of the game.

But here's where the tension rises: after every building round, the storm intensifies. You'll roll to see which street number gets hit by the bad weather. And if lightning strikes a street you've already visited? If you haven't built a roof there yet, the lightning will destroy everything you've constructed! It's a constant balancing act between playing it safe and risking it all for those extra points. The game blends the pattern-building satisfaction of 'Cartographers' with the pure adrenaline of a classic 'push your luck' experience. If you're looking for a fast, dynamic game that makes your heart race with every dice roll, Lightning City: Tokyo is your next 20-minute obsession!

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–12 players
1 OK
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Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Admin: Upcoming Releases Cities: Tokyo (Japan)
Publisher Nürnberger-Spielkarten-Verlag
Designer Jannik Auth
Artist Oliver Freudenreich, Sandra Freudenreich

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
How long does the game last?
It's super fast! A game typically lasts between 20 to 30 minutes.
How many players can play?
It's fun for 1 to 12 players, so everyone can join the party!
What is the complexity level?
It's a light and dynamic game, easy to learn but with tense strategic decisions.
Is it very luck-dependent?
Yes, dice are key, but the strategy lies in how you manage the storm's risk.
Do I need paper and pen?
Yes, it uses a paper-and-pencil mechanic to track your buildings.