Sprawlopolis

Button Shy, Across the Board, Banana Games · Board game · 2018
1–4 · best 1 Solo 15–20 min Weight 1.8/5
7.5 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG
How to Play Buy · from US$ 9.94
7.5 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy a cooperative (or solo!) spatial puzzle that fits in your pocket, Sprawlopolis is an excellent choice. It's a small game with BIG decisions!

Highlights
  • Portable and easy to carry
  • Varied challenges every game
  • Great for solo play
  • Complex strategic decisions
  • Clever multi-use components
Keep in mind
  • Can be a bit abstract
  • Requires good communication (co-op)
  • Theme might not appeal to everyone
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
Access Rules Guide

About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready for the sounds of construction, because in Sprawlopolis, you're the master builder! The previous planning team couldn't cut it, and now the city has entrusted you and your team to transform a quiet village into a vibrant urban center. This is a cooperative game for 1 to 4 players, where the challenge is to build a new city from the ground up using only 18 cards. Sounds simple, right? But with each game, the scoring system changes, ensuring the experience is never the same. Each turn, you and your fellow urban planners will play one card from your hand to expand the city, always aiming to maximize points. Communication is key, but without revealing your cards, to efficiently develop large areas in each of the four zone types. And here's the catch: the city hates spending on road maintenance, so every road you build will cost you points in the end! When all cards have been placed, the game ends, and you check if you've met the required minimum score. Does your team have what it takes to create the ultimate urban wonder?

Expansions

Published additional content

12 items

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

7 videos

Rules manual

Official PDF file

Rules manual — Sprawlopolis English · PDF
Download Manual

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 BEST
2 REC
3 OK
4 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Components: Multi-Use Cards Containers: Wallets Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Game: Sprawlopolis Mechanism: Partially overlapping cards Players: Games with Solitaire Rules Series: Master Print Mini (Quined) Series: Micro Game (Matagot) Series: Pocket Games series (Kozak Games) Series: Sprawlopolis Series: Wallet & Box Micro Games (Button Shy) Theme: City
Publisher Button Shy, Across the Board, Banana Games, Diversion (دایورژن), Djama Games, Even Toys and Games
Designer Danny Devine, Paul Kluka, Steven Aramini
Artist Dalton Cara, Danny Devine, Karolina Jędrzejak, Loïc Billiau

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

28,732owners
3,366wishlist
327want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can play Sprawlopolis?
Sprawlopolis can be played by 1 to 4 players, making it an excellent option for both solo experiences and small groups.
What is the average game duration?
A game of Sprawlopolis is quite quick, usually taking between 15 and 20 minutes. Perfect for filling those waiting moments or for multiple plays in a row!
What is the game's complexity level?
The game is considered light to medium weight (1.8038/5 on BGG). The rules are simple to learn, but the strategy to optimize scoring and meet objectives can be quite challenging.
What comes in the Sprawlopolis box?
Sprawlopolis is a minimalist game, consisting of only 18 cards. Each card features different zone types and a scoring objective on the back, making them multi-use.
Is Sprawlopolis a good game for board game beginners?
Yes, it is quite accessible for beginners due to its simple rules and short playtime. However, it offers enough strategic depth to keep experienced players engaged.
Are there any expansions for Sprawlopolis?
Yes, there are several mini-expansions (also called 'mini-packs') that add new mechanics, zone types, or objectives, such as 'Construction Zones', 'Wreck-Garbage', 'Points of Interest', and 'Beaches'.
What is the main challenge of the game?
The main challenge is balancing the creation of large areas of the same zone type with minimizing roads (which subtract points) and fulfilling the three variable scoring objectives each game.

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