18FR (1997)

About this game

An 18xx game originally designed in 1987 by Michael Liebetanz as 1830: Railways & Robber Barons on a new map for France. In 1997 Helmut Ohley produced a variant set of rules for 18FR which introduced ports, the special track-tiles, etc. In 2009 J C Lawrence in collaboration with Helmut Ohley updated 18FR, extending and clarifying Helmut's original variant into a more interesting game. Both variants require additional components to 1830: Railways & Robber Barons to play (files are provided to make your own) and assumes familiarity with the 1830: Railways & Robber Barons rules. Though this uses components of 1830 this is not an expansion, but is a separate standalone game.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 3 to 6.
• Rules load. At 4.5/5 this is a heavy game — read the rulebook before people arrive.
• Age. The publisher suggests 14 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.