Auf Achse (1987) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Auf Achse is a board game that was designed by Wolfgang Kramer and first released in in 1987. The game is centered around the transportation and delivery of goods, with players taking on the role of truck drivers competing to make the most money by delivering goods across Europe. The game has a strong economic theme, with players needing to carefully manage their resources and make strategic decisions to outmaneuver their opponents.

Game Components of Auf Achse

Game board featuring a network of circles and lines representing major cities in central Europe

Plastic trucks

Hard rubber cubes to represent goods

Contract cards

Chance cards

Trailers for increasing cargo capacity

Dice for movement

Money

Open contract cards

How To Setup Auf Achse

To set up the game, each player starts with a truck and a set of contract cards. The game board is laid out, showing the cities and the paths between them. Four open contract cards are placed face-up on the board. Each player chooses a starting city, and the game is ready to begin.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Category: Logistics and pick-up and deliver

Mechanics: Auction, dice rolling, contract management

Objective: Complete transportation contracts to earn the most money.
– Roll a die to move your truck.
– Pick up goods at the start city if there is capacity.
– Deliver goods at the destination city to collect money.
– Auction off open contracts by bidding.
– Use chance cards and purchase trailers to manage your logistics.

Game End: The game ends when all open contracts have been auctioned off and one player completes all their contracts. The player with the most money wins.

Player Experience

Auf Achse is designed to be easy to learn and fast to play, making it an excellent gateway to the pick-up and deliver genre. The game generally scales well but is best with three players, as this provides a good balance between auction interest and minimal downtime. However, player interactivity is relatively low outside of the auction phase.

Pros

Approachable Gameplay: Clearly written rules and simple mechanics make it accessible to casual gamers.

Component Quality: High-quality components, including the game board and plastic trucks.

Fast-paced: Games typically last about 90 minutes, making it a quick and engaging experience.

Broad Appeal: Successful as a gateway game to the pick-up and deliver genre.

Cons

Low Player Interactivity: Outside of auctions, players have minimal interaction with each other.

Random Elements: Die rolling and chance cards introduce randomness that may not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on Auf Achse

Auf Achse is an excellent choice for those looking to dip into logistics-themed games or the pick-up and deliver genre. While it may not be Wolfgang Kramer’s personal favorite, it has stood the test of time and remains a fun, fast-paced game. It’s particularly suitable for families or casual gaming groups due to its light and easy-to-learn nature. However, hardcore gamers might find it too light and reliant on random elements. Despite these aspects, Auf Achse has broad appeal and is a great addition to any game collection.

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