London Necropolis Railway (2022) Board Game

The London Necropolis Railway Board Game is based on the historical London Necropolis Company, which operated a private railway service to transport the deceased and mourners to Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey, England. The game takes a dark and eerie twist on this macabre piece of history, combining elements of horror and trains in a unique tabletop experience.

Game Components of London Necropolis Railway

Main board

London Terminus board

Railway board

Brookwood Necropolis board

Player boards

Railway tiles

London tiles

Coffin tokens

Mourners (MERS) tokens

Staff tokens

Crypt tiles

Action discs

Cards for upgrades and bonuses

Prestige track markers

How To Setup London Necropolis Railway

To set up the game, each player starts with their train in London, a Prestige marker at the start of the track, a pile of Railway tiles for upgrading the train, a pile of London tiles for upgrading the London board, and six Mourners tokens. Players draw two coffins randomly from the bag and place them on their train. The main board is set up with the round tracker, available cribs for purchase, bonus action spaces, and reminders for turn-specific actions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Drafting: Players choose cards and associated action discs to perform actions.

Pick-up and Deliver: Coffins and mourners are transported from London to Brookwood Necropolis.

Tile Placement: Players place tiles to upgrade their train, London board, and necropolis.

Objective: The goal is to design the most efficient system for transporting and burying the deceased, earning the most points by optimizing coffin placements, completing rows, and upgrading facilities.

Player Experience

Playing London Necropolis Railway is a deeply optimizing experience, where players are more focused on personal progress than direct competition. The game requires managing resources, upgrading facilities, and ensuring efficient transport of coffins and mourners. It has a unique blend of thematic depth and mechanical complexity, making it both challenging and satisfying.

Pros

Unique Theme: The game’s historical and thematic context about managing a necropolis railway is original and engaging.

Deep Optimization: Offers a rich experience in optimizing resources, upgrades, and actions.

Thematic Depth: It touches on the importance of proper burials and the human aspect of mortality.

Cons

Limited Decision Space: The game’s decision space can feel restrictive at times.

Complex Arithmetic: The final scoring can be mathematically intense, requiring careful tracking of points.

Not for Everyone: The game’s focus on optimization and its somewhat morbid theme may not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on London Necropolis Railway

This game is ideal for players who enjoy deep optimization, strategic planning, and unique thematic settings. It is not a traditional train game but rather an upgrade and management game that happens to involve trains. The game’s sensitivity to the human aspect of bereavement and burial practices adds a layer of depth that sets it apart from other games in the genre. However, it may not be the best fit for those seeking high player interaction or a lighter gaming experience.

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