Bus (1999) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Bus is a strategy board game that was released in in 1999. It is designed for 3 to 5 players, with a recommended best player count of 4. The game is themed around transportation, specifically managing a bus route in a busy city. Bus was created by Herman Haverkort, Tamara Jannink, Daan van Paridon, Thijs van Paridon, and Joris Wiersinga, and features artwork by Splotter Spellen.

Game Components of Bus

Player pieces: Color-coded ziplock bags for each player and shared game pieces.

Action tokens: 20 single-use cylinders for the entire game.

Bus markers: For tracking bus level and passenger capacity.

Board: Features roads, Central Park, train stations, and building types (home, office, pub).

Buildings: Three types, each with numbered spaces to dictate the order of filling.

How To Setup Bus

The game setup involves each player starting with a 2-length bus route and placing two buildings on the board. Players connect their routes to either the center of the board or to one of the train stations to secure passengers. The board is initialized with four passengers at the corners of Central Park, and new passengers enter the game through the train stations.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Deliver as many passengers to their desired destinations as possible.

Worker Placement: Players place workers to perform actions such as extending bus routes, adding new passengers, and delivering passengers.

Time Mechanism: The desired destination of passengers rotates each round (work, pub, home). Players can use the “Break the Space Time Continuum” action to stop time, but doing so too many times ends the game.

MaxBus: The maximum bus capacity of any player determines how many times certain actions can be taken.

Action Execution: The order of action execution depends on the action space chosen, with some actions executed last if taken first.

Scoring: Points are earned by delivering passengers to their desired destinations.

Player Experience

Playing Bus is a strategic and interactive experience. The game requires careful planning and coordination to deliver passengers efficiently. The dynamic nature of the game, with rotating destination types and limited action spaces, creates a high level of player interaction and competition. Players must balance expanding their bus routes, adding new passengers, and delivering existing ones while also managing the time mechanism and competing with other players.

Pros

High Strategic Depth: Despite simple rules, the game offers complex and engaging gameplay.

Innovative Mechanics: Unique features like the time mechanism and dynamic action spaces add to the game’s appeal.

Player Interaction: High level of interaction and competition among players.

Gateway to Heavy Games: A good introduction to more complex games due to its balanced complexity and simplicity.

Cons

Limited Scoring Opportunities: Points are hard to come by, making scoring a challenging and competitive aspect.

Time Mechanism Pressure: The risk of ending the game by stopping time too many times adds pressure.

Not Suitable for 2 Players: The game does not support two-player gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Bus

Bus is an excellent choice for fans of strategic and interactive board games. It is particularly suited for those who enjoy route-building and worker placement mechanics. The game’s complexity and depth make it a great option for experienced players, while its relatively simple rules make it accessible to those looking to transition to more complex games. However, it is not ideal for casual gamers seeking a quick or easy experience, nor is it suitable for two-player sessions.

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