Trains (2012) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Trains is a board game that was first released in 2012 by OKAZU Brand. Designed by Hisashi Hayashi, this game falls under the categories of Card Game, Territory Building, Trains, and Transportation. With a runtime of 45 minutes, Trains is suitable for 2 to 4 players, aged 12 and above.

Game Components of Trains

Player decks: Each player starts with a basic deck containing Normal Train cards (used as money), Lay Rails cards, and Station Expansion cards.

Wooden cubes: 20 cubes per player to represent their train line and one scoring cube.

Station markers: 30 neutral-colored wooden Station markers.

Board: Featuring maps of Tokyo or Osaka with hex terrain.

Cards: Various expansion cards including Lay Rails, Station Expansion, and special ability cards.

Waste cards: Introduced to manage deck efficiency.

How To Setup Trains

To set up **Trains**, each player creates their starting deck with Normal Train, Lay Rails, and Station Expansion cards. Players claim 20 wooden cubes in their player color and one scoring cube, which starts on the 0 spot of the victory point tracker. The board is prepared by placing starting tracks and Station markers. Each player places a starting track on the board, avoiding special restricted areas like Remote Locations.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Deck-building: Players start with a basic deck and expand it by purchasing cards from a common pool using Normal Train cards as currency.

Resource management: Managing Normal Train cards to buy more powerful cards, Lay Rails, and Station Expansion cards.

Track laying: Using Lay Rails cards to place wooden cubes on the board to connect cities.

Station building: Building stations using Station Expansion cards to score victory points.

Waste management: Dealing with Waste cards that clutter the deck and slow down progress.

Game objective: The game ends when a player places their final rail cube, all stations are built, or four card piles are empty. The player with the most victory points, earned through track connections, stations built, and certain card purchases, wins the game.

Player Experience

**Trains** offers a blend of strategic planning and resource management. Players must balance laying tracks, building stations, and managing their deck efficiently. The game introduces the concept of Waste cards, which adds a layer of complexity and strategy, as players need to manage these cards to keep their deck optimal. The game is praised for its smooth gameplay and the challenge of making the most out of limited resources.

Pros

Engaging gameplay: Combines deck-building with board placement, offering a unique and engaging experience.

Waste management: Adds a new layer of strategy to the deck-building genre.

Visual appeal: Features updated graphics and artwork, enhancing the overall player experience.

Streamlined card abilities: Easy to understand card actions that contribute to a smooth gameplay flow.

Cons

Similarity to Dominion: Often compared to Dominion, which may make it less appealing to some players.

Board strategy limitations: Building infrastructure can be undercut by other players connecting to already improved cities, which can be frustrating.

Waste accumulation: Managing Waste cards can slow down the game and clutter the deck.

Personal Thoughts on Trains

**Trains** is ideal for fans of deck-building games who are looking for a fresh twist with the addition of a physical board. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy strategic planning and resource management. However, players familiar with Dominion might find the game too similar. For those new to deck-builders, **Trains** offers a comprehensive and visually appealing introduction to the genre. Overall, it’s a well-made game that provides a challenging and enjoyable experience.

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