On the Underground: London / Berlin (2019) Board Game

On the Underground: London / Berlin is a board game that was released in in 2019. Designed by Viktor Csete and published by LudiCreations, this game is set in two iconic European cities known for their extensive subway systems – London and Berlin. Players take on the role of urban planners trying to expand their subway lines and connect various stations to score points.

Game Components of On the Underground: London / Berlin

Game board featuring London and Berlin maps

Track lines and pieces

Connection tokens (for London)

Landmark tiles (for Berlin)

Special location markers (for Berlin)

Traveler movement deck

Player tokens and sticks

How To Setup On the Underground: London / Berlin

To set up the game, players choose either the London or Berlin side of the board. Each side has its unique components and rules. For London, players focus on creating loops in the central area of the map, while Berlin involves chaining special locations and collecting landmark tiles. The track lines are distributed among players, with some lines shared and others available for individual placement.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Network Building: Players build tracks on the map.

Loop Formation: In London, creating loops around stations to score points.

Token Collection: In London, connecting matching Connection tokens for bonus points.

Landmark Collection: In Berlin, collecting sets of landmark tiles or focusing on a single type.

Traveler Movement: Managing Traveler movements to optimize track placements.

Objective: Score points by completing loops, connecting tokens, and collecting landmark tiles.

Player Experience

The game is highly interactive, with players constantly monitoring the board and each other’s moves. London is more simplistic and introductory, making it a great family game, while Berlin offers more complex strategies and decision-making. The game works well at all player counts by adjusting the number of lines each player manages, ensuring a consistent game length but varying the feel based on the number of players.

Pros

Interactive Gameplay: Continuous engagement as players compete and strategize.

Balance: The game remains competitive across different player counts.

Visual Appeal: Attractive watercolor design and recognizable city skylines.

Flexibility: Suitable for various player numbers without significant changes in game length.

Strategic Depth: Berlin side offers more complex strategies compared to London.

Cons

Ending: The game can end somewhat anticlimactically without a major endgame surge of points.

Runaway Leader: Potential for a runaway leader in mismatched games, though generally balanced.

Personal Thoughts on On the Underground: London / Berlin

This game is perfect for route builders and those who enjoy network-building games. It’s a great option for families due to the simpler London side, while the Berlin side offers a more robust experience for seasoned gamers. The game’s design ensures it works well at all player counts, making it versatile and engaging for different groups. If you’re looking for a game that combines strategy and interactive gameplay, **On the Underground: London / Berlin** is definitely worth trying.

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