Rail USA (2014)

About this game

The quick, cube-rails game Rail USA — one of three titles in Winsome Games 2014 Essen Set — shares some similarities with SNCF, a.k.a. Paris Connection. Each round, a player acquires a share of one company, builds track in existing companies, then delivers goods along that track. Each round, a new company enters the mix. The track-building and goods deliveries trigger payouts, and the player with the most money at the end of six rounds wins.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 3 to 5.
• Rules load. At 2.4/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.