Maloney’s Inheritance (1988) Board Game

Maloney’s Inheritance is a board game designed by Sid Sackson and released in in 1988. It falls under the category of transportation games, where players are tasked with bidding and auctioning off various transportation routes to build the most profitable network.

Game Components of Maloney’s Inheritance

Cards: Depicting cities and optimal visit dates

Game Board: Represents various cities and travel routes

Player Tokens: For tracking player movements

Scoreboard: To record points

How To Setup Maloney’s Inheritance

To set up the game, players first lay out the game board, which shows a map of various cities. Each player chooses a token and places it on the starting location. The deck of city cards is shuffled and distributed among the players. The objective is clear from the cards, which indicate the best days to visit each city.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Play: Players draw and play cards to plan their travel itinerary.

Route Building: Players aim to visit cities at the optimal times indicated on their cards.

Area Control: Securing the right cities at the right time to maximize points.

Game Objective: Accumulate enough points by visiting cities on the best days to win the inheritance.

Player Experience

**Maloney’s Inheritance** offers a fun and strategic experience, challenging players to plan their travels efficiently. The game requires a balance between short-term and long-term planning, as players must ensure they are in the right city at the right time. The game’s mechanics make it engaging but not overly complex, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

Pros

Engaging Gameplay: The combination of card play and route building keeps players engaged.

Strategic Depth: Requires careful planning and strategy to win.

Easy to Learn: Simple to understand, making it a great introduction to more complex strategy games.

Cons

Changes to Original Version: Some reviews note that changes introduced by Ravensburger detracted from the original version’s appeal.

Repetitive Play: Some players might find the gameplay repetitive after multiple plays.

Personal Thoughts on Maloney’s Inheritance

**Maloney’s Inheritance** is ideal for those who enjoy strategic planning and travel-themed games. It is a great fit for families or casual game groups looking for a game that is both fun and intellectually stimulating. However, fans of highly complex or rapidly changing game environments might find it a bit too straightforward. Overall, it is a solid addition to any board game collection, especially for those who appreciate the works of Sid Sackson.

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