Railways (2022)

About this game

In the middle of the 19th century, the time of the Industrial Revolution, you must take advantage of the steam age and build your railroad empire by developing railroads, expanding buildings, and moving passengers to make the most profit at the end of twelve rounds! Railways is the first game in the "Nano9games" family. With 9 cards, 9 dice, and 9 cubes, you must build a network and connect the buildings to move passengers. You will use cards and icons to perform actions. During each round, play cards to combine icons to perform actions: Build a link Move a passenger Build a building Upgrade an existing link Take money Decrease pollution Add a new passenger If you play two icons from the same card, you must increase your pollution. Your goal is to make as much profit as possible, and you earn money when you move passengers through links and buildings... With a second set of cards — and dice and cubes in a different color — you can play Railways with two players. —description from the designer

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 1 player — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.3/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 14 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.