Rail Baron Rivals

[microbadge=1714] [microbadge=13314]

[u]02-Jul-2015[/u]: This is a very nice PnP train game that uses dice to determine actions each round. While it doesn't come close to a full 18xx experience, it does have some of those concepts in here. You have two goals to achieve by the endgame - increase the share value of each of the five railroads and have the highest valued investment portfolio of the five railroads when compared to your AI rival.

I have to admit that I've struggled quite a bit to grasp how this game is played. I've worked very hard at it, and I'm still one or two rules shy of being certain that I'm playing 95% correct - I still have two questions open in the forums waiting a response from the designer. For those of us completely unfamiliar with 18xx terminology and basic concepts, the rulebook will be difficult to decipher.

However, I think it is worth the effort. The game is interesting and challenging with a very simple but effective AI system. The dice mechanism for choosing actions can be frustrating at times, but for the most part offer at least one good option for the player each round if not two or three. It's just a matter of choosing the "right" action in the moment to build up each of the railroads while staying ahead of the rival.

The game looks great on the table. The designer did a wonderful job with the map and the pieces. You will definitely need a three-quarter inch hole punch, though, if you want to make a copy yourself. It'll save you a ton of time and potential muscle pain from trying to cut out all those circular track tiles.

If Jack (the designer) decides to keep this game going with future map releases, I think it has the potential to become a staple of my PnP collection.

Print and Play

Fun, light 18xx game.