Express Route (2023) Board Game

Express Route is a cooperative board game that simulates the fast-paced world of transportation and travel. Released in 2023 by The Op Games, this game challenges players to work together to deliver passengers and cargo to their destinations efficiently. With a runtime of 60 minutes and suitable for players aged 10 and above, Express Route offers a fun and engaging experience for both casual gamers and board game enthusiasts.

Game Components of Express Route

1 Map Game Board featuring the United States with 28 cities

4 Vehicle Boards (3 trucks, 1 plane)

4 Control Panel Player Boards

1 Plane wooden token & 3 truck tokens

12 Silver Batteries & 4 Purple Batteries

12 Range Tokens, 16 Load Tokens, 7 Lock Tokens, 1 Roadblock Token, 1 Pilot Token, 1 Executive Token

75 Package Tokens

43 Event Deck 1 Cards & 26 Event Deck 2 Cards

21 Upgrade Cards

11 Specialist Cards

1 Warehouse Token, 8 Delivery Requirement Tokens

Demand Pawn and Rules.

How To Setup Express Route

Setup involves each player choosing a Specialist role, which provides unique setup advantages and ongoing abilities. Players receive a player board to track their interactions with the delivery vehicles. The game board is populated with five initial packages, and the demand marker is set to 15. Each player starts with three silver battery tokens. The Event Deck is prepared, and players must interact with it immediately, drawing Breaking News cards that can impose restrictions or challenges.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Actions: Players have three actions per turn, represented by silver battery tokens, which can be used to pick up packages, move vehicles, or deliver packages.

Vehicles: Players use three delivery trucks and one cargo plane, each with its own movement and loading capabilities that can be upgraded.

Demand Management: The game features a Demand Track that increases as new packages are added to the board. Managing this track is crucial to avoid game over.

Event Deck: The game includes an Event Deck that introduces challenges and restrictions at the start of each turn.

Upgrades: Players can use delivered packages to purchase upgrades for their vehicles, such as increased movement or loading capacity.

Objective: The game is won by delivering eight packages, four of which must meet specific conditions determined at setup. If the Demand Track reaches 36 or the Event Deck runs out of cards, the game is lost.

Player Experience

Express Route is known for its challenging and strategic gameplay. Players must work together to manage the demand track, navigate the restrictions imposed by the Event Deck, and optimize their vehicle upgrades. The game is praised for its logical puzzle elements but criticized for its high difficulty level and sometimes frustrating mechanics. Solo play is an option, and the game dynamic changes slightly with different player counts, becoming somewhat easier with more players.

Pros

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and strategic planning.

High Replayability: Multiple Specialist roles and variable setup conditions offer different experiences each game.

Logistical Challenge: Provides a deep logistical puzzle to solve, appealing to fans of strategy and planning.

Solo and Multiplayer Options: Supports play with 1 to 4 players, offering flexibility.

Cons

High Difficulty: The game is very challenging, and winning is not easy even with experienced players.

Frustrating Mechanics: Some rules, like the need to take an unload action to deliver packages, can be annoying.

Scripted Puzzle Elements: The game’s puzzle aspects can feel somewhat scripted, reducing the sense of exploration and variability.

Personal Thoughts on Express Route

Express Route is ideal for fans of cooperative games and those who enjoy logistical challenges. It is not a game for casual players looking for a light, easy experience; instead, it is geared towards those who relish a tough puzzle to solve. The game’s retro-future theme and the use of battery-powered vehicles add a unique twist to the traditional pickup and deliver genre. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea due to its high difficulty, it certainly offers a compelling challenge for those willing to persevere.

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