Australian Rails (1994) Board Game

Australian Rails is a board game released in 1994 that falls under the economic, trains, and transportation category. Designed by Peter Y. Bromley, Drew Perkett, and Mike Russo, this game utilizes the Crayon Rail System, Hexagon Grid, Network and Route Building, and Pick-up and Deliver mechanisms to create an engaging gameplay experience.

Game Components of Australian Rails

Hexagon grid board

Train tokens

City cards

Money tokens

Rulebook

How To Setup Australian Rails

Place the hexagon grid board in the center of the table.

Each player chooses a color and takes their train tokens and starting money.

Shuffle the city cards and place them face down.

Each player draws a city card to determine their starting location.

Follow the instructions in the rulebook for setting up the game board.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In Australian Rails, players compete to build the most lucrative rail network across Australia. By connecting cities and delivering goods, players earn money and points. The game ends when a player reaches a predetermined score, and the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging gameplay with strategic depth

Replayability due to variable starting locations

Unique theme of building rail networks in Australia

Cons:

Long playtime of 3-4 hours may be a deterrent for some players

Steep learning curve for new players

Personal Thoughts on Australian Rails

Australian Rails is a well-designed board game that offers a unique and immersive experience for players interested in economic and transportation-themed games. The build quality of the components is solid, and the artwork by Mayfair Games adds to the overall aesthetic appeal of the game.

In terms of pricing and availability, Australian Rails can be found both new and used online. While the game may not be suitable for casual gamers due to its lengthy playtime, it is a worthwhile investment for fans of complex strategy games. Players who enjoy deep strategic gameplay and are looking for a challenging experience will find Australian Rails to be a rewarding choice.

Overall, Australian Rails is a game that is worth your time if you enjoy immersive gameplay and are willing to invest the time to learn its intricate mechanics. However, those who prefer shorter, more casual gaming experiences may want to skip this one in favor of something more streamlined.

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