MunchkinĪs mentioned in the previous post, introducing a catch-up mechanic into a game has its faults. The down side is the unpredictability and the possibility for king making. This also has the advantage of smoothing out any power imbalances the game may have. The end result is similar to the systematic approach, but grants players more agency and interaction. When given a choice, players usually make decisions that hinder the leader and help the losing player. It places the power in the hands of the players. This kind of catch-up mechanic feels distinctly different than the systematic mechanics in Power Grid or Suburbia. The player who is winning is most likely to be on the receiving end of the robber. Additionally the robber allows players to steal resources and deny resource production. If a player is in the lead, they are less likely to get trades and the opposite is true if a player is behind. In Settlers of Catan, players can trade resources with each other. Other games use social pressure and table talk to achieve the same goal. Power Grid and Suburbia have systematic catch-up mechanics that are baked into the rules of the game. The catch-up mechanic becomes a significant consideration and knowing when to surge forward with your population because you can afford to pay the taxes becomes a key part of the game. The game becomes a matter of pacing and timing. However, as their town’s population (score) swells, they also incur a tax that decreases their income and reputation, making it more difficult to continue growing. Whichever player has the most population by the end of the game wins.Īs players grow their town, their population increases. In Suburbia, players are trying to build the town with the largest population. Suburbia is another game where the catch-up mechanic plays a heavy role in the game. And if you removed this catch-up mechanic from Power Grid, I think it would be safe to say that it would not feel like the same game. For new players, it’s counter-intuitive that you don’t actually want to be in first place. A savvy player would never put themselves in a first place situation until the final turn because of the heavy disadvantages that would provide.
Second, the mechanic plays such a heavy role in the game that experienced players will play around the catch-up mechanic to such a heavy extent that the catch-up mechanic becomes the game in a way. First, it’s not thematically explained and the complexity of the mechanic can take the player out of the immersion of the game. However, there are two main criticisms with this approach - one of which is a criticism of catch-up mechanics in general. It certainly accomplishes the goal of helping players who are in last place and making things more difficult for players in the lead. This mechanic is often lauded as a prime example of an effective catch-up mechanic. As resources become more scarce, their cost goes up, so going first provides a huge advantage in this regard. Additionally, the player in last place gets to purchase resources first. This opens up the possibility for the last player to gain a great power plant without needing pay much. The player who is winning must bid first during the power plant auction. The catch-up mechanic in Power Grid favors players who are behind by granting two significant advantages. Scoring is tracked by how many cities players are able to power and the winner is the player who can power the most cities. In Power Grid, players are vying for the best power plants and resources in order to power as many cities as possible.
Some say it’s brilliant while others feel it’s too heavy-handed and unthematic. The catch-up mechanic in Power Grid is a very powerful one. As resources are purchased, they become more expensive.Īny discussion about catch-up mechanics in tabletop gaming wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Power Grid. Be careful not to grow too quickly, or you'll lose both income and your reputation.Marketplace in Power Grid. The market is always changing, so spend your cash wisely. Or take on the Campaign and travel to real-life cities, each with unique goals.īuild residential, commercial, civic, and industrial areas like stores, museums, airports, and of course suburbs. Choose your strategy carefully as you compete against your friends or multiple computer personalities. Ted Alspach's best selling city-building board game is now on iOS! The winner of the prestigious Mensa Select Mind Games award challenges you to manage a growing metropolis. There’s simply not much to complain about." -148Apps It plays well, looks good, has lasting replay value. "An accessible and interesting game, and we recommend it for budding strategists and architects alike." -Pocket Gamer a wonderful addition to anyone’s iPad." -Board Game Geek "All in all, the app is pretty fantastic.
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