Next Station: London (2022) Board Game

Next Station: London is a city building board game that was released in 2022 by designer Matthew Dunstan. The game is published by Blue Orange (EU) and features artwork by Maxime Morin. It is a game that combines elements of city building and train network building, where players compete to build the best transportation network in London.

Game Components of Next Station: London

Each player receives a scoresheet featuring an abstract map of London divided into thirteen districts.

11 station cards, including five pink and six blue cards, with various station symbols (circle, square, triangle, pentagon) and special cards like the Railroad Switch and Joker cards.

4 colored pencils (green, yellow, pink, and purple), one for each player each round.

5 objective cards for the Shared Objectives module.

4 Pencil Powers cards for the Pencil Powers module.

How To Setup Next Station: London

To set up the game, each player is given a scoresheet and a colored pencil. The scoresheet displays a portion of the London underground system with stations marked by different shapes. The deck of 11 station cards is shuffled. Players start at the filled-in station matching their pencil color on their sheet. The pencils are rotated among players after each round.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Phases: Each round consists of four phases, including identifying the starting station based on the pencil color, building the line by drawing based on the flipped station cards, and rotating the pencils.

Drawing Lines: Players draw lines from their current line to a station matching the symbol on the flipped card, following the gray pre-printed lines on the sheet.

Special Cards: The Railroad Switch card allows branching lines, and Joker cards permit connecting to any station.

Scoring: Points are awarded for visiting multiple districts, crossing the Thames, connecting to tourist destinations, and creating interchange stations with multiple lines.

Shared Objectives and Pencil Powers: Optional modules add shared objectives and special powers to the pencils, enhancing the game’s strategy and replayability.

Player Experience

Next Station: London offers a multiplayer solitaire experience where players puzzle out the best way to draw their lines to maximize points. The game is quick, lasting about 25 minutes, and involves strategic decision-making despite its simple rules. Players must optimize their routes to cover multiple districts, cross the Thames, and connect to tourist destinations, all while managing the limitations imposed by the drawn cards.

Pros

Simple yet Strategic: The game has a relatively simple ruleset but offers deep strategic gameplay.

Replayability: The rotating pencils and random card draws ensure each game is different.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 8 and up, making it accessible to younger players.

Quick Gameplay: Games are swift, lasting about 25 minutes.

Scalable Difficulty: Can be simplified for younger players or enhanced with advanced modules.

Cons

Limited Longevity: Some players find the game less engaging after multiple plays.

Minimal Theme Integration: The artwork, while vibrant, does not strongly evoke the theme of London.

Random Card Draw: The random nature of the card draws can sometimes limit strategic options.

Personal Thoughts on Next Station: London

Next Station: London is ideal for those looking for a quick, light, yet strategic flip-and-write game. It is perfect for families or casual gamers who enjoy puzzles and route-building. While it may not offer the same level of complexity or longevity as some other games, it provides a fun and challenging experience, especially when the advanced modules are included. For those who enjoy optimizing routes and strategic planning, this game is a great addition to their collection.

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