Machi Koro: Bright Lights, Big City

Machi Koro goes to the nightlife: roll dice, collect from your buildings and race to finish your landmarks.

Designer: Masao Suganuma
Published by: IDW Games
Editions by: Pandasaurus Games, White Goblin Games

The sleepy town of Machi Koro has become a tourist hot spot, and this standalone follow-up adds nightlife. Everyone rolls one or two dice each turn, and when the sum matches the number on a building you own, you cash in. Sometimes your opponents get paid by your roll too, and you by theirs. Then you buy something new and get closer to finishing your landmarks before anyone else. A new set-up makes each game feel different, but the pace stays quick. A 2016 dice-and-card city builder for two to five players. If you know the original Machi Koro, think of it as the same crowd-pleaser with a fresh wardrobe.

Standalone, no original Machi Koro neededNew set-up makes each game feel differentDice results can pay you and your rivals

Who it's for

You already like Machi Koro, or want a light dice-and-cards builder where everyone is always in on the action.

Not for you if…

You dislike dice luck. The strategy is about buying well, not controlling the roll.

Vibe's take

Bouncy and optimistic. You are mostly hoping the right number shows up, with small decisions about what to buy keeping you busy and plenty of cheering when someone else's roll pays you too.