7.4
rating
Ludopedia
7.2
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
If you enjoy city-building, long-term planning, and a good strategic challenge, NEOM is a perfect fit with incredible replayability!
Highlights
- Engaging city-building experience
- Dynamic simultaneous drafting
- Deep strategic planning
- High replayability guaranteed
- Variety of viable strategies
Keep in mind
- Requires careful planning
- Subtle 'take that' elements
- Initial learning curve
Rules manual not indexed yet
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About the game
What you do in a play session
Get ready to build the city of your dreams in NEOM, a modern city-building game that blends the best of classics like 7 Wonders, Carcassonne, and Sim City! Here, the competition is fierce to see who can erect the most impressive metropolis. You'll utilize a system of 17 different goods, divided into three tiers, which can be unlocked to allow the placement of increasingly powerful tiles as your city grows and develops. But it's not just about placing tiles randomly! The roads on the tiles need to be connected intelligently, without being rotated, meaning every layout decision must be made with an eye on your city's future. At the start of each game, players draft 'cornerstones' – unique and super powerful tiles that completely change what is most valuable in the game, ensuring each match is a fresh and challenging experience. NEOM is the result of seven years of intense development, with rules and tile sets refined over more than 3,500 logged games in a custom online prototype. This guarantees an exceptionally well-balanced game with a huge variety of viable strategies for you to explore. Whether you're a master planner or a novice builder, NEOM offers depth and fun for everyone.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
REC
2
REC
3
REC
4
BEST
5
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Lookout Games
Designer
Paul Sottosanti
Artist
Christian Opperer, Klemens Franz
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Is NEOM a complex game for beginners?
NEOM has a medium weight (2.59/5 on BGG), meaning it offers strategic depth without being overly complex. The rules are accessible, but mastery comes with practice and planning.
How many players can participate in a game of NEOM?
The game can be played by 1 to 5 players. Yes, it has a very interesting solo mode for when you want to build your city without company!
What is the average duration of a NEOM game?
A game of NEOM usually lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, making it ideal for shorter, yet satisfying, gaming sessions.
Are NEOM's components heavily text-dependent?
Not much! NEOM has low language dependence. Most of the information is on the tile icons, making it quite accessible even with language barriers.
Does NEOM have a lot of player interaction?
Yes, there is interaction! The simultaneous drafting and the 'Take That' mechanic (though subtle) ensure you're always keeping an eye on what your opponents are doing and adjusting your strategy accordingly.
What are 'cornerstones' and how do they affect the game?
Cornerstones are unique tiles you choose at the start of the game. They are super powerful and define which strategies will be most valuable in that specific game, ensuring high replayability and different paths to victory.
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