Union Station (2022) Board Game

Union Station is a board game designed by Daniel Newman and released in in 2022. It falls under the categories of Economic, Print & Play, Trains, and Transportation. The game revolves around auction/bidding, commodity speculation, network and route building, ownership, and stock holding mechanics.

Game Components of Union Station

1 board (in two parts)

35 cards

Rulebook

70 10mm Railroad discs (14 each in blue, green, black, orange, white)

1 dividend marker

Poker chips (additional components needed).

How To Setup Union Station

To set up Union Station, players start by arranging the two-part board, shuffling and dealing the cards, and distributing the railroad discs and poker chips. Each player chooses a set of discs to represent their railroad company. The dividend marker is placed on the board to track the number of dividends paid. The game is ready to play once all components are in place and the initial cards are drawn.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Category: Cube rails game with a focus on share purchasing and stock manipulation.

Game Length: 30-45 minutes.

Objective: Accumulate the most money by buying and selling stock, laying tracks, and timing dividend payments.

Key Mechanics:
– Buy stock to increase its value.
– Sell stock to get quick cash while lowering the company’s value.
– Lay track to expand railroad companies.
– The game ends when all shares are bought or sold, 20 dividends are paid, or no more tracks can be laid.

Player Experience

Union Station offers a clean and direct gameplay experience with simple scaffolding that creates a web of player-driven complexity. The game is relatively easy to teach and quick to play, making it a great option for those looking for a compact yet engaging game. Players must carefully time their stock purchases and sales, as well as track laying, to maximize their earnings.

Pros

Quick to Play: Games last between 30-45 minutes.

Easy to Teach: Simple rules make it accessible to new players.

Compact: The game does not occupy much room on the table.

Strategic Depth: Encourages careful timing and strategic decision-making.

Cons

Limited Player Interaction: Some players might find the focus on individual stock manipulation and track laying to be less interactive.

Random Element: Shares come out randomly, which can affect strategy.

Personal Thoughts on Union Station

Union Station is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with a focus on economic management and timing. It’s a great choice for those looking for a quick, yet intellectually stimulating game that doesn’t require a large playing area. The game is particularly suited for fans of cube rails games and those who enjoy the challenge of stock manipulation and strategic decision-making.

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