Road Hog: Rule the Road (2017) Board Game

Road Hog: Rule the Road is a racing board game released in 2017 by Jolly Roger Games. Designed by Randall Hoyt, this game is suitable for 2 to 5 players and has a runtime of approximately 30 minutes. The game features dice rolling, hand management, modular board, point-to-point movement, roll/spin and move, and take that mechanisms.

Game Components of Road Hog: Rule the Road

Road Tiles: Seven tiles that construct the highway, each depicting three-to-five segments of a highway, usually three lanes wide, with some featuring special sections like toll booths and road work.

Dice: Two dice used for movement and managing neutral vehicles.

Cards: Four types of cards – traffic, driver, aggression, and reaction – which allow players to supplement movement or impair opponents.

Neutral Vehicles: Up to two dozen cars and trucks placed on the highway.

Player Vehicles: Thick wooden pieces representing each player’s vehicle.

How To Setup Road Hog: Rule the Road

The game is set up by placing seven road tiles to construct the highway. Each tile shows different segments of the road, including straight sections and curves, as well as special features. Neutral cars and trucks are placed on the highway according to the tile specifications. Players start with a hand of three cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Players roll two dice to determine their vehicle’s movement and the movement or placement of neutral vehicles.

Card Play: Players can use cards to supplement their movement, move neutral vehicles, or block opponents.

Objective: The goal is to be the first player to exit the highway, navigating through traffic congestion and obstacles.

Player Experience

The game has a puzzle-like feel, similar to Rush Hour, where players must strategically mix their movement, card play, and neutral vehicle management to optimize their progress. However, the game often becomes congested, leading to a cluttered board and slow gameplay. Players frequently block each other’s progress, causing the game to grind to a halt.

Pros

Production Quality: The road tiles are thick and rubber-backed, and the vehicles are thick wooden pieces. The cards are well-illustrated.

Strategic Depth: The combination of dice rolling and card play offers a layer of strategy and planning.

Cons

Congestion: The game often becomes overly congested, leading to slow and frustrating gameplay.

Chaos: The use of cards adds chaos rather than strategy, making the game less enjoyable.

Personal Thoughts on Road Hog: Rule the Road

Road Hog: Rule the Road is for players who enjoy competitive, strategic games but may find it challenging due to its propensity for congestion. While it has a unique theme and good production quality, it may not be the best fit for those seeking smooth, fast-paced gameplay. Adjusting the number of neutral vehicles could potentially improve the experience, but as it stands, it falls short of being a standout game.

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