Railways (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Railways is a board game designed by Ilya Baranovsky and released in in 2022. It is a card game that combines elements of city building and train management. The game has received positive reviews for its strategic gameplay and engaging mechanics.

Game Components of Railways

Game board featuring various maps (e.g., Eastern US, Western US)

Railroad Operations cards

Goods cubes

Player tokens and markers

Train pieces

City markers

Income track

Private Rail Baron goal cards

Empty City Markers (ECMs)

How To Setup Railways

To set up **Railways of the World**, players begin by placing the game board in the center of the table. Each player selects a set of tokens and markers and places them on the starting positions on the board. The Railroad Operations cards are shuffled and placed near the board, with some cards drawn to create the initial market. Goods cubes are distributed to the cities according to the map. Each player receives a set of private Rail Baron goal cards, which outline their individual objectives.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Score the most points by delivering goods across the rail network.

Turn Order: Players bid to go first in each round, with the winner taking the first action and paying their bid to the bank.

Actions: Each player takes three actions per turn, such as laying tracks, delivering goods, or taking Urbanization actions.

Goods Delivery: Move goods along connected networks to matching color destinations, scoring points for each link traversed.

Railroad Operations Cards: Provide bonuses for delivering to specific cities or achieving certain milestones.

End Game Trigger: The game ends when a set number of Empty City Markers (ECMs) are placed, indicating that cities have been emptied of goods cubes.

Player Experience

**Railways of the World** offers a dynamic and strategic experience where players must balance building their rail network, delivering goods, and managing resources. The game is known for its accessibility, with a bidding system for turn order that is easier to teach and play compared to similar games like **Age of Steam**. Players must navigate the tension of urbanizing cities and competing for delivery routes, making it a game of strategic planning and tactical execution.

Pros

Accessible Mechanics: Easy to learn and teach, especially compared to other train-themed games.

Variable Setup: Multiple maps and Railroad Operations cards ensure high replayability.

Strategic Depth: Players need to manage resources, bid for turn order, and plan deliveries carefully.

Interaction and Competition: Urbanization actions and competing deliveries create a dynamic and competitive environment.

Cons

Long Game Time: Games can be lengthy, especially with more players.

Minimum Player Count: The game is less engaging with fewer than four players on certain maps.

Tracking Goods Cubes: Manual tracking of goods cubes can be cumbersome without digital assistance.

Personal Thoughts on Railways

**Railways of the World** is ideal for fans of economic and train-themed games who enjoy strategic planning and competitive gameplay. It suits experienced players who can appreciate the depth of its mechanics and the historical theme of railroad management. However, it may not be the best fit for new players or those looking for a quick game, given its complexity and length. The game’s accessibility and high replay value make it a great addition to any serious board game collection.

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