Illustrated cityscape with buildings under construction and blueprint overlays, showing a subway station below ground with a train and passengers, and the title "Terminus."
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Terminus (2024) Board Game

ByMichail

Terminus is a board game released in 2024, designed by Edu Valls and published by Inside Up Games. It falls under the categories of City Building, Economic, Industry / Manufacturing, Trains, and Transportation. The game focuses on players taking on the roles of railway tycoons, competing to build the most profitable railroad network in a bustling city.

Game Components of Terminus

  • Deluxe resources
  • Metal coins and Terminus markers (exclusive to the Kickstarter edition)
  • Dual-layered player boards
  • Various development, agenda, and project cards
  • Resources and tokens for time, money, and other assets
  • A large game board featuring the city map[5.).

    How To Setup Terminus

    Setting up Terminus involves placing specific components on the board based on the player count. The setup includes placing certain numbers of resources, developments, agendas, and projects, which are guided by markings on the board. The rulebook outlines these steps, although it has been noted that the teaching order in the rulebook could be improved for clarity.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Mechanics:** Route Building, Rondel, Grid Movement, Network and Route Building, Open Drafting, Tile Placement, Variable Set-up, Worker Placement, Action Drafting, Connections, Grid Coverage, Income, Market, Point to Point Movement, Resource to Move.
  • Objective:** Players aim to gain the most prestige by building Stations and Hubs, completing Projects and Agendas, and fulfilling the city’s transit demands. The game is structured into three rounds called years, with actions taken via an Action Loop (a type of Rondel).

    Player Experience

    Terminus offers a complex and engaging experience where players must manage assets such as time, money, and resources to build their subway lines. The game features high interactivity, including a resource market and competition for Agendas, Developments, and Upgrades. However, it can be frustrating due to the complexity of managing multiple resources and the potential for miscalculations or changes in market values to significantly impact gameplay.

    Pros

  • Engaging Mechanics:** The game combines several mechanics to provide a challenging and fun experience.
  • Interactive:** High interactivity with other players through route building, resource markets, and competing for objectives.
  • Components:** Nice components, including dual-layered player boards and cool resources.
  • Theme:** The addition of lobbyists and city planning adds a unique twist to the route-building genre.

    Cons

  • Complexity:** The game includes many elements to remember, making it overwhelming to teach and learn.
  • Graphic Design:** Some iconography is confusing, which can hinder gameplay.
  • Customer Service:** Issues with customer service from the publisher have been reported.
  • Component Issues:** Some players have received the game with missing pieces or miscut punchboards.

    Personal Thoughts on Terminus

    Terminus is suited for players who enjoy complex, strategic games with multiple layers of mechanics. It is ideal for those who appreciate route-building and resource management, and are willing to invest time in learning the rules. However, it may not be the best fit for new or casual gamers due to its high complexity and the need to manage numerous game elements. The game’s appeal is also somewhat marred by issues with the publisher’s customer service and some quality control problems.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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