Tiny Towns

Tiny Towns is a game about building a town, but don't let that fool you – it's a strategic puzzle with a surprising amount of depth. The core gameplay is simple: you place resource cubes on your 4x4 grid to build buildings, each of which scores points in a unique way. The catch? Everyone is vying for the same resources, and you can't build anything you don't have the materials for. This creates a constant tension of needing to plan ahead but also reacting to what other players are doing.

I find the resource management aspect to be extremely engaging. It's like a Tetris-style puzzle, trying to fit the right shapes in the right places to maximize your score. The variety of building types adds replayability, and the game scales well from two to six players. The components are high quality, especially the wooden building pieces, which really make the game feel substantial.

I agree with some reviewers that the theme is a bit lacking. The art is nice, but it's more abstract than cute. There are no actual animal pieces, which is a shame considering the game's setting. However, for me, the strategic gameplay outweighs the lack of thematic immersion.

Overall, Tiny Towns is a fantastic game for those who enjoy puzzle-like gameplay with a good dose of strategic decision-making. It's quick to learn, but the strategic depth will keep you coming back for more. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and engaging game for their collection.