Taxi Derby (2020) Board Game

Taxi Derby is a board game released in 2020, designed by Philipp Ach and illustrated by Skipshot Games. It falls under the categories of Economic and Transportation games, featuring gameplay mechanics like Connections, Modular Board, Pick-up and Deliver, Point to Point Movement, and Push Your Luck. The game is designed for 1-5 players, with a runtime of 45-75 minutes and an age recommendation of 10+.

Game Components of Taxi Derby

4 Rearrangeable Game Boards

5 Player Mats

6 Wooden Tracker Cubes

5 Taxi Meeples

1 Patrol Car Meeple and Pursuit Die

65 Passenger Tiles

34 Traffic Ticket Cards

47 Wooden Taxi Upgrade Tokens

50 Money Tokens.

How To Setup Taxi Derby

To set up Taxi Derby, each player selects a taxi meeple and places it on the starting location on the game board. Each player receives a player mat and a set of tracker cubes. The passenger tiles, traffic ticket cards, and taxi upgrade tokens are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. The patrol car meeple and pursuit die are also placed on the board according to the game’s instructions. The game boards are arranged to form the city of Ixat, which is the main play area.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Pick-up and Delivery: Players compete to pick up passengers and deliver them to their destinations.

Engine-Building: Players can upgrade their taxis using upgrade tokens to improve performance.

Push-Your-Luck: Players must balance the risk of taking on more passengers against the risk of encountering traffic tickets or the patrol car.

Objective: Earn the most money by delivering high-paying passengers while managing the challenges of the road.

Player Experience

In Taxi Derby, players immerse themselves in the competitive world of taxi driving in the rapidly growing city of Ixat. The game is suitable for 1-5 players and is recommended for those aged 10 and above. A typical game session lasts between 45 to 75 minutes. The game’s medium-weight strategy ensures it is engaging yet accessible to a wide range of players, making it enjoyable for families and casual gamers alike.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The game’s theme of taxi driving in a competitive city is unique and engaging.

Balanced Mechanics: The combination of engine-building and push-your-luck mechanics adds depth and strategy.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for players as young as 10, making it a great family game.

Replayability: The rearrangeable game boards and random passenger tiles ensure high replayability.

Cons

Luck Element: The push-your-luck mechanic can sometimes lead to frustrating outcomes based on luck rather than strategy.

Setup Time: Setting up the game can take a bit of time due to the numerous components and board arrangement.

Personal Thoughts on Taxi Derby

Taxi Derby is a delightful game for those who enjoy strategic gameplay with a touch of luck. It is an excellent choice for families and casual gamers looking for a game that combines simple rules with deep strategic possibilities. The game’s economic and transportation themes add a layer of realism, making it more engaging. However, players who prefer games with minimal luck may find the push-your-luck mechanic somewhat frustrating. Overall, Taxi Derby is a great addition to any board game collection, offering a fun and competitive experience for players of various ages and skill levels.

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