Underwater Cities*

Underwater Cities is a strategy board game where players become the world's brightest minds, tasked with creating the most livable underwater habitats. The game is notable for its card placement mechanism and offers a richly strategic experience that scales in duration with the number of players.

Gameplay Overview

  • Futuristic Theme: Players work to build underwater cities due to Earth’s overpopulation.
  • Card Placement Mechanism: Players place colored cards on the main board in matching colored slots to trigger actions and gain advantages.
  • Resource Management: Collect raw materials to build and upgrade various structures like city domes, tunnels, and production buildings.

Special Features

  • Varied Actions: Actions include resource intake, construction, advancing on the initiative track, activating special abilities, and collecting cards.
  • Diverse Card Types: Nearly 220 cards are categorized into five types, offering different usage timings and strategies.
  • Double-Sided Underwater Areas: This feature provides multiple opportunities for scoring victory points (VPs) and strategizing for victory.
  • Player Initiative Track: The initiative track plays a significant role in determining player order, adding a layer of strategic planning.

Conclusion

Underwater Cities is perfect for players who enjoy complex strategies, resource management, and innovative game mechanics. The game’s blend of card placement with city-building elements makes for a deeply engaging and thought-provoking experience. It challenges players to think ahead and optimize their actions to efficiently build their underwater habitats. With a variety of cards and dual-sided game areas, Underwater Cities offers high replayability and strategic depth, appealing to seasoned gamers looking for a fulfilling and immersive gaming session.

Nominated for 11 awards and won 3.

Video reviews, ratings, Let's Plays and tests for Underwater Cities

We like Underwater Cities so much that we recommend it in the following board game recommendation lists 2026

Expansions for Underwater Cities

Already own Underwater Cities and want more? These expansions bring fresh variety to your games:

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