USPS: The Great American Mail Race (2022) Board Game

USPS: The Great American Mail Race is a board game released in 2022, designed by Zoe Lee and published by Big Potato Games. The game is centered around the theme of transportation and simulates the excitement and competitiveness of a mail race across America. Players will take on the role of mail carriers, trying to deliver mail efficiently and beat their opponents to the finish line.

Game Components of USPS: The Great American Mail Race

98 Cards, including 15 different types of Transport Cards

4 Mail Cubes

4 Van Pieces

4 Mailboxes

4 Bases

1 Postcard Token

1 Board featuring a map of the USA

1 Ink Stamp

1 Envelope

1 Scorepad (50 Sheets)

1 Instructions

1 Potato Sticker.

How To Setup USPS: The Great American Mail Race

To set up the game, players choose a mail truck matching one of the colors of the regions on the board and start in that region. Each region has a depot with a mail cube waiting to be delivered. A deck of destination cards is placed face-up in each region, indicating where the mail cubes need to be delivered. Players start with a hand of transport cards. The game requires minimal setup, making it quick to get started.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Mechanics: Pick-up and deliver, transport cards, and “take that” interactions.

Game Objective: Players aim to deliver as many parcels as possible across the USA using various transport cards, including planes, trains, and an official USPS rocket ship. The game ends when the transport deck runs out, and the player with the most points, earned by delivering mail and using the included stamp on their score sheet, is declared the winner.

Player Experience

The game is easy to learn and plays quickly, typically lasting about half an hour. Players enjoy the thematic element of delivering mail to quirky named cities like ‘Big Bottom’ in Dakota and ‘Ding Dong’ in Texas. However, the game has some scaling issues, particularly with two players, where the game feels unplayable due to the lack of adjustments in the rules. With three players, the game is more enjoyable, but with four players, it can feel tight and repetitive due to the limited number of mail cubes.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple mechanics make it accessible for both kids and adults.

Fun Theme: Delivering mail across the USA is a familiar and engaging theme.

Quick Gameplay: Games typically last about half an hour.

Educational: Helps in learning American geography.

Unique Stamp Mechanic: Using an official USPS stamp adds a fun element to the game.

Cons

Scaling Issues: The game does not scale well for two players and can feel too competitive with four players.

Confusing Rules: Some rules, such as the “three actions” per turn, can be unclear.

Pacing Issues: The game can end suddenly, and scoring can be off due to time constraints.

Color Differentiation: Colors on the pieces can be hard to distinguish, especially for older players.

Personal Thoughts on USPS: The Great American Mail Race

This game is ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy light strategy and thematic games. While it has its drawbacks, particularly with player count and rule clarity, it offers a fun and educational experience. For those who enjoy pick-up and deliver mechanics and are intrigued by the USPS theme, this game can be a delightful addition to their collection. However, it may require some house ruling to make it fully enjoyable for all player counts.

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