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Continental Express (2014) Board Game

ByMichail

Continental Express is a card game released in 2014 designed by Gaël Lannurien and published by Asmodee and Bombyx. It is a train-themed game where players compete to create the most profitable train routes across Europe.

Game Components of Continental Express

  • 82 Small cards: Including 58 Train cards, 2 Event cards, 12 Banknotes, and 10 Character cards.
  • 20 Company Tokens**.
  • 30 Long cards: Comprising 20 Destination Ticket cards and other game-specific cards.

    How To Setup Continental Express

    To set up the game, players start by shuffling and dealing the appropriate number of Train cards and Character cards. Each player chooses a set of Destination Tickets, which outline the routes they aim to complete. The Company Tokens are placed on the board according to the game’s instructions. The Event and Banknote cards are also set aside for use during the game. The objective is clear from the start: build train routes to fulfill your Destination Tickets.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Train Building: Players use Train cards to lay down tracks on the map, connecting cities.
  • Resource Management: Managing Train cards, Event cards, and Banknotes to optimize route building.
  • Destination Tickets: Completing Destination Tickets to earn victory points.
  • Character Abilities: Utilizing special abilities from Character cards to gain advantages.
  • Victory Points: The player with the most victory points, earned from completing routes and Destination Tickets, wins the game.

    Player Experience

    Continental Express offers a blend of strategic planning and tactical execution. Players must balance short-term goals with long-term strategies, making the game engaging and challenging. The inclusion of Character cards and Event cards adds a layer of complexity and unpredictability, keeping players on their toes.

    Pros

  • Strategic Depth: The game requires careful planning and resource management.
  • Replayability: The random draw of cards and varied player abilities ensure different experiences each time.
  • Thematic Consistency: The game stays true to the train-building theme, making it appealing to fans of the genre.

    Cons

  • Learning Curve: New players may find the rules and card interactions quite complex.
  • Limited Player Count: Designed for 2-4 players, which might limit its appeal for larger groups.
  • Component Overload: Managing multiple types of cards and tokens can be overwhelming.

    Personal Thoughts on Continental Express

    Continental Express is ideal for fans of train-themed board games and those who enjoy strategic resource management. It is particularly suited for players who have some experience with similar games, as the rules and card interactions can be quite intricate. For those new to the genre, it may serve as a challenging but rewarding introduction to deeper strategy games. Overall, it is a solid addition to any collection looking to expand into the realm of train-building adventures.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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