Imagine you are a building contractor in turn-of-the-century New York. Steam is rising from the manhole covers, the streets are full of horse-drawn carriages, newspaper vendors and ambitious businessmen – and right in the middle of it all: you, with the goal of constructing one of the most famous buildings in the world. This is exactly what the new board game Flatiron from Pegasus Spiele is all about. An exciting duel for 1-2 players that requires strategy, planning and a good sense of timing.

What can you expect at Flatiron?

In Flatiron, everything revolves around the construction of the famous Flatiron Building, which stands in its triangular shape in the middle of Manhattan. You either compete against another player or in solo mode against an AI-supported construction company. The aim is to build floor after floor and collect more victory points than your opponent.

It’s not just about building. You have to comply with regulations, keep an eye on your reputation and skillfully use cards to lead your construction company to success. Sounds complex? But it’s not – at least not in the frustrating way. Flatiron offers just the right mix of strategic depth and accessible gameplay.

How it works

At the heart of Flatiron is your personal tableau, which you expand as the game progresses. To do this, you buy cards that allow you to perform new actions. You can either place them on the streets around the building or place them in specific columns to activate their effects. The better you combine your cards, the more efficiently your construction company will run.

The whole thing feels a bit like an urban worker placement mechanism with tableau building. You plan, move, combine and optimize – and constantly have to keep an eye on what your opponent is doing.

There are also various bonus mechanisms: For example, if you build columns in a particularly clever way or complete certain construction phases, you will receive extra points. The press also plays a role – with targeted public relations work, you can improve your reputation and gain additional advantages.

Solo or in pairs?

Flatiron works excellently with two players – the pace of the game is comfortable, there is hardly any downtime and every move you make feels important. But solo players also get their money’s worth. The solo mode is well thought out, challenging and brings a whole new dynamic to the game.

Whether you prefer to compete against each other or take your time to perfect your own building strategy, Flatiron delivers a powerful experience for both modes.