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Never did I think I would channel my inner city planner, scrutinizing every street, park, and pool. My weekends used to be all about escaping the hustle and bustle, not recreating it on my dining room table. Fast forward to game night with friends, and there I am, sketching out suburban streets like my life depends on it. How did I get here? Well, it all started four winters ago. I was invited to a board game night, and a lady pulled out this game. I had seen this game at my local board game store, but it looked so dated. I have since stopped judging games by their covers and have become more versed in board game terminology.
Are you ready to love building tiny, gossipy neighborhoods at home? Are you ready to let fate decide that YOU CANNOT PLAY A POOL!? Whether you are or ever wanted to be an urban planner, architect, civil engineer, or designer, it doesn’t matter. Welcome To... is for anyone who has a bit of creativity, is ready for a strategic game, and has a bit of luck. Trust me, I am not handy at all, but I crush it at this game!
Welcome To... is designed by Benoit Turpin and was first published by Blue Cocker Games in 2018. This isn't your typical roll-and-write game. Instead, it's a flip-and-write game where you design your ideal 1950s American suburb. For 1-100 players (yes, you read that right). The game takes about 5 minutes to set up and about 15 minutes for two players and 30 minutes for more.
Blueprints and Components
Here's what you get in the box:
An Intuitive Rulebook: The manual is straightforward and easy to understand
Player Sheets: 100 one sided sheets ready to become your canvas. Each sheet has space for a name and three roads for you to build your perfect little gossipy neighborhoods. On the bottom of each sheet, there are clear instructions to score. The sheets are designed to be clear and user-friendly, with spaces for parks, pools, and fences. We were going to run out of the sheets, so we laminated them
City Plan Cards: These cards provide objectives that players aim to complete for bonus points. They add variety and strategic depth to each game
Construction Cards: These double-sided cards are the heart of the game, depicting house numbers on one side and various effects (parks, pools, fences, etc.) on the other
Player Aids: The player aids are super helpful. They tell you the distribution of cards and what each symbol means. It’s a great addition for new players
Markers and Pens: While not included in the base game, having a set of colorful markers or dry erase pens can enhance your experience by making your plans more vibrant. Since we laminated our game, we keep thin dry-erase markers in multiple colors
Laying the Foundations: Setup
Setup is a breeze. Give each player a sheet and a pen. Shuffle the construction cards and place them in three evently split decks. Lay out the city plan cards, revealing three for the current game one for each number (1, 2, and 3). Flip the first set of cards, and voila! You are ready to start.
How to Play
Welcome To... is played over a series of turns where players simultaneously choose how to develop their suburb. Each turn, three construction cards are flipped, revealing a house number and an effect. Players select a combination and write the house number on their sheet, applying the corresponding effect.
Each neighborhood has three streets. Top street has 10 homes, second one 11, and the last one 12. Players must follow ascending numerical order within each street (numbers can vary from 1 to 15). The effects provide various bonuses, such as:
Parks: Enhance the appeal of your streets for extra points
Pools: Add value to specific houses for bonus points
Fences: Divide your streets into smaller estates, crucial for completing city plans
Bis: Duplicate house numbers to fit more numbers into your neighborhood
Real Estate: Increase the value of your estates
Constructions (they are called Temp Agency, but I don't like that and I always forget): Add or subtract up to two numbers from the house number drawn
The game ends when one player completes all three city plans, fills all their houses, or is unable to place any more house numbers.
Urban Planning Triumph
The goal in Welcome To... is to build the best suburb, scoring points through house numbers, completed city plans, parks, pools, and the size of your estates. The player with the most points at the end wins.
Strategic Numbering: Choose house numbers wisely to maximize your points and complete city plans.
Optimal Effects: Use effects strategically to enhance your suburb's value and meet objectives.
Estate Management: Carefully plan your estates to complete city plans and score high in real estate.
Mastering Urban Elegance: Key Features
Welcome To... has the perfect blend of strategy, luck, and creativity.
Flip-and-Write Gameplay: Unlike traditional roll-and-write games, you get to flip cards!
Variety and Replayability and a bunch of expansions if you ever wanna spice it up.
Easy to Learn: The rules are simple, but the strategic depth keeps players coming back for more. The delicate balance between building a perfect street and racing to get the points first is so compelling, and there's no single way to win. I particularly get stuck on trying to maximize the pool and park points.
Accessible for All ages and type of players.
Enjoy at Any Count: Whether you're a party of 2 or a group of 10 or more, Welcome To... scales wonderfully. We mostly play it with 2 and 4 players.
Language Independent: The game has no wording on the cards. Once you learn the rules, you can play this with anyone.
Pros:
Quick Setup: just shuffle the cards, give everyone a sheet, and you are ready to go!
Fast Play: Ideal for game nights or quick sessions, with minimal setup and a brisk pace. It is a great way to get the game night starter. The game is also available in BGA. My wife and I will play it there at times while running errands and waiting for take out.
Engaging and Strategic: Offers a satisfying mix of strategy and chance. I particularly like that you always know what type of construction is next.
High Player Count: Accommodates large groups and plays well solo and in small groups.
Language Independent: The game is language independent and easy to teach!
Cons:
Limited Player Interaction: The game is more about individual strategy than direct competition, which might not appeal to everyone.
Component Wear: The paper sheets can run out quickly with frequent play. Consider laminating them or using dry-erase pens (so if you make a mistake, you can quickly correct).
No pens or markers included in base game though there is a dry erase marker version. We bought it! It’s worth it because it also comes with four mini expansions. I hear that there is a new version with more expansions. I am on the look out!
Expanding the Neighborhood
For those looking to add more variety and challenges, Welcome To... offers several expansions. There are thematic neighborhoods with unique rules and objectives, such as zombies and ice cream trucks. These expansions introduce seasonal themes and additional effects, offering fresh challenges. They bring new scoring options and strategies, enhancing the base game experience. There is also Welcome to the Moon and Welcome to Las Vegas. I’ve tried many of the mini expansions and Welcome to the Moon and Las Vegas and the original is still my favorite. I am not sure if it’s the fact that we’ve played it so many times that is become familiar or the fact that it is indeed the best version out there
Choosing the Right Expansion:
Here's a quick guide to choosing the right expansion for your group:
For New Players: Stick with the base game initially to learn the mechanics.
For Thematic Variety: Try the expansions for unique twists and thematic fun.
For More Strategic Depth: Try out Welcome to New Las Vegas
Want to have scaling difficulty levels?: Check out Welcome to the Moon
Final Thoughts: Building a Legacy
Welcome To... transforms the mundane into the extraordinary. The game let’s you become an urban planner in about 20 minutes. Whether you're a veteran gamer or a curious newcomer, this game is a delightful addition to any collection. So grab your pens, flip those cards, and see if you can create the perfect suburb!
If you're looking for a game that combines strategy with sprinkles of luck, Welcome To... is a must-try. Dive in, plan your streets, and enjoy the intricate dance of urban design!
SCORES:
Likes
Easy to teach
Great for all ages, player count, and type of player
Dislikes
None, this is one of my favorites
Overall score: 95%
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