Empire Express (2012) Board Game

Empire Express is a board game released in 2012 and designed by Mike Atkinson and Justin Gerard. It is based on the popular Crayon Rail System and focuses on building railroad routes and delivering goods across the United States.

Game Components of Empire Express

Map board

Train cards

Delivery cards

Goods cubes

Money tokens

Player markers

How To Setup Empire Express

Place the map board in the center of the table.

Shuffle the train cards and place them face down.

Each player receives a set of delivery cards and starting money.

Place goods cubes on the designated cities on the map.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Players take turns building railroad routes, picking up goods, and delivering them to their destinations. The objective is to earn the most money by efficiently managing your train routes and completing deliveries.

Player Experience

Pros

Strategic gameplay that rewards planning and optimization.

Engaging theme of building a railroad empire.

Replayability with different strategies to explore.

Cons

Steep learning curve for new players.

Some components may feel outdated compared to newer board games.

Limited player interaction beyond blocking routes.

Personal Thoughts on Empire Express

Empire Express is a solid economic board game with a unique theme and engaging gameplay mechanics. While it may not have the flashiest components or the most intuitive rules, it offers a satisfying strategic experience for fans of train games and economic simulations.

In terms of build quality, Empire Express is durable and well-designed, but it may not stand out compared to newer board games with more modern components. Pricing and availability for both new and used copies can vary, so it’s worth shopping around for the best deal.

For players who enjoy economic and transportation-themed games, Empire Express is definitely worth checking out. However, those looking for more player interaction or simpler gameplay may want to skip this one. Overall, Empire Express offers a niche gaming experience that can be rewarding for the right audience.

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