Rival Cities - First Play Opinions

About Rival Cities, from BoardGameGeek:

In the 16th century, the small fishing village of Altona was founded in Northern Germany, initially posing no threat to its long-established neighbor, Hamburg. However, as Altona rapidly grew, a fierce rivalry emerged between the two cities, each constantly trying to outdo the other. In Rival Cities, you face off in an enthralling city duel. Outmaneuver your opponent to achieve an instant victory - but beware as either of you can pull this off in many ways. Only by combining foresight with the art of deflection will you lead your city to victory. The suspenseful back and forth between the players makes it a very confrontational gaming experience full of weighty decisions. -description from the publisher