Small Railroad Empires (2021) Board Game

Small Railroad Empires is a board game designed by Milan Tasevski and published by Archona Games in in 2021. It falls into the trains and transportation category, featuring a hexagon grid, modular board, open drafting, pick-up and deliver, set collection, and variable player powers mechanics. The game is designed for 1-4 players aged 13 and above, with a playtime of 30-60 minutes.

Game Components of Small Railroad Empires

4 x Map Tiles

92 x Tracks (23 per player)

32 x Train Meeples (8 per player)

28 x Disc Markers (7 per player)

20 x Custom Resources (5 of each type)

4 x Player Boards

32 x Train Cards

12 x Achievement Cards

8 x Contract Cards

12 x Loan Cards

34 x Solo Mode Cards

1 x Score Board

1 x Industry Board

1 x Starting Player Token

24 x City and Factory Tokens (Variant)

16 x Rural Town Tokens (Variant).

How To Setup Small Railroad Empires

To set up the game, players start by arranging the map tiles to form the game board. Each player selects a player board and the corresponding train meeples, disc markers, and tracks. The game includes various cards such as train cards, achievement cards, contract cards, and loan cards, which are shuffled and distributed according to the game rules. Players also place the city and factory tokens on the board. The game is ready to start once all components are in place and each player has their starting resources.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Pickup and Deliver: Players pick up resources from factories and deliver them to cities.

Route Building: Players construct railroad tracks to connect factories and cities.

Set Collection: Players collect sets of resources and train cards.

Objective: Build a vast infrastructure of railways, deliver goods, and earn money and Prestige points.

Player Actions: On each turn, players lay down tracks, navigate the board efficiently, deliver goods using train cards, and complete achievements.

Achievements: Players aim to complete various achievements that award Prestige points.

Secret Objectives: Each player has secret objectives that award points upon completion.

Player Experience

**Small Railroad Empires** offers a tense and strategic gameplay experience, especially at higher player counts. The game is easy to learn but challenging to master, with tight money management and crowded board dynamics. Players must carefully plan their track placements and resource deliveries to outmaneuver their opponents. The achievement system adds a racing element, making each game unique and competitive. Games typically last 30-45 minutes, depending on the number of players.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple ruleset that allows immediate gameplay.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and resource management.

Replayability: Achievement system and various game scenarios ensure high replay value.

Interactive: High player interaction, especially at higher player counts.

Expansions: Available expansions like “Freight on Board” add new gameplay mechanics.

Cons

Limited Resources: Tight money management can be challenging.

Crowded Board: The board can become congested, leading to increased competition.

Personal Thoughts on Small Railroad Empires

**Small Railroad Empires** is ideal for fans of train-themed games and those who enjoy strategic route-building and resource management. It is a great choice for both new and experienced board game players due to its simple rules and deep strategic elements. The game’s competitive nature and achievement system make it particularly engaging for players who enjoy a challenge and some friendly competition. If you’re looking for a game that balances simplicity with strategic depth, **Small Railroad Empires** is an excellent addition to your board game collection.

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