Irish Gauge (2014) Board Game

Irish Gauge is a board game designed by Ian O’Toole and published by Capstone Games. It was released in 2014 and falls into the economic and trains category. The game is set in Ireland during the 19th century, a time when railway companies were popping up all over the country.

Game Components of Irish Gauge

Large, attractive map of Ireland divided into hexagonal spaces

Five stacks of shares representing different railways

Trains to place on the board

Dividend cubes in pink, white, and black

Special Interest cubes

Player cash

Rule pamphlet (a single sheet of A4)[5%.

How To Setup Irish Gauge

Setup involves dealing £20 to each player and placing one train from each of the five railways on the map. The shares are stacked, with each stack representing a specific railway, and each share has a starting value. players also place some dividend cubes randomly on the board during setup. The game begins with an auction phase where players bid on the first share from each railway stack.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Share Auctions: Players bid on shares from five different railways.

Track Building: Use build points to lay tracks on the board.

Special Interest: Add cubes to towns to convert them into cities.

Calling Dividends: Draw cubes from a bag to determine payouts for connected cities and towns.

Objective: The goal is to have the most money at the end of the game, which is triggered when the last dividend cube is drawn from the bag. Players sum their cash and the value of their shares to determine the winner.

Player Experience

Irish Gauge offers a fun and engaging experience, especially for those new to investment games. It balances calculability and randomness, making it feel like a “dividend slot machine” where smart railway networks can improve payouts. The game is straightforward to learn but provides mid-to-heavyweight decision-making, making it appealing to players of various skill levels.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple and clear rules.

Engaging Gameplay: Mix of strategy and luck.

Quick Playtime: Games last about 45-60 minutes.

Attractive Components: Functional and visually appealing.

Gateway Game: Great introduction to investment games.

Cons

Limited Player Count: Designed for 3-5 players, no solitaire or 2-player version.

Randomness: The cube drawing mechanism can introduce significant randomness.

Personal Thoughts on Irish Gauge

Irish Gauge is perfect for those looking for a fun and strategic game that doesn’t overwhelm with complex rules. It’s an excellent choice for families and casual gamers, as well as a great introduction to investment and train games for new players. The game’s balance between simplicity and depth makes it a versatile addition to any board game collection.

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