Railroad Rivals is a board game released in 2018 that allows players to experience the excitement of building and expanding their own railroad empire. Designed by Mark Page and featuring artwork by Forbidden Games, this game has quickly gained popularity among fans of train-themed board games.
Game Components of Railroad Rivals
City tilesStock tilesTrain tokens corresponding to double-sided character cardsGoods tokens (cubes) of various colorsScoreboardVelvet grab bag for goods tokens
How To Setup Railroad Rivals
Setup involves several steps:
Remove Chicago, St. Louis, and Cincinnati City tiles and shuffle the remaining tiles. Reveal one face-up in the center as the start tile and return the other two to the stack.Shuffle the Stock tiles but do not distribute them yet.Give each player 2 City tiles to form their starting hand.Provide each player with a set of trains corresponding to their character cards.Add goods tokens to the bag based on player count (e.g., 16 Brown tokens for 2 players, with additional color tokens for more players).Randomly determine player order and have each player donate a train to score initial points.Place each train company’s stock marker off to the left, initially worth nothing.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Key Mechanics
Bid for Turn Order: Players bid to determine turn order, skipping this phase in the first round.Draft Tiles: Players draft one new City tile and one new railroad Stock tile per turn.Play Tiles: Players lay down City tiles adjacent to existing tiles, ensuring matching railroad edges.Move Goods: Players move goods from one city to another via railroad links, earning points and increasing the value of their stocks.
Game Objective
The objective is to build a railroad empire, deliver goods, and increase the value of your railroad stocks to earn the most victory points by the end of the game.
Player Experience
Railroad Rivals offers a vibrant and fresh theme, making the game feel engaging and visually appealing. The components, including City and Stock tiles, trains, and the scoreboard, are of high quality. The game has a great table presence, with trains and cubes enhancing the visual experience. It is designed as an introductory train game, making it accessible to players who are interested in railroad management but not ready for more complex games.
Pros
Engaging Theme: The game has a thematic authenticity that makes it feel vibrant and fresh.High-Quality Components: The City and Stock tiles, trains, and scoreboard are well-made.Accessible Complexity: It’s a lighter version of railroad management games, making it easier for new players to learn.Good Table Presence: The visuals and components make the game appealing on the table.
Cons
Limited Historical Accuracy: The game prioritizes thematic authenticity over historical accuracy.Random Elements: The random draw of goods tokens can introduce unpredictability that some players might find frustrating.
Personal Thoughts on Railroad Rivals
Railroad Rivals is ideal for players looking to dip their toes into the world of train games without committing to complex, time-consuming gameplay. It is suitable for 1-5 players and offers a fun, interactive experience that balances strategy with accessibility. If you enjoy tile placement, auction mechanics, and pick-up and deliver games, Railroad Rivals is a great addition to your gaming collection.
We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.
