This is a pretty cool game and considering on purchasing it. When railroads were building across the US in the second half of the 19th century, many towns would compete to have a railroad go through it. Many people did invest a lot of money and some did make it rich while others lost it all. Even railroad barons would seize the opportunity in getting people to invest and change their plans, which I believe was shady. I know Pullman and Spokane competed to be a railroad hub. Spokane was chosen and became a boom town overnight while Pullman stayed a farm town, but would get Washington State University in 1890.
Interesting game. I'm not sure how I feel about the "forced hand" actions when you basically have to lay track so you don't get bypassed. Great playthrough as always!
It's so strange seeing Shelby, MT featured in a game. I grew up there and it's little more than a speed bump of a town. My family moved to a different state when I was a teenager and the high school I went to literally had twice as many students as there were citizens of Shelby.
Also, pronunciation of some of the place names: Chinook is pronounced Shi-nook and Spokane is pronounced spoke-anne. (as in Anne the name) Would have loved to hear you give Butte a try! XD
Hmm, what a strange game. I started wondering halfway through if "that was it" as it would make for a short game. And then it turns out you just play it three times without any real changes between rounds. It feels like padding, if I'm honest. I am sure the dynamic at the table makes a big difference with people negotiating and shouting at each other or something but it just feels... light on content? Ah, I see it is sponsored, that would explain a few things :-)
I've heard that many people do play it as each round being a "game", and that is an official variant in the rulebook. Since this game is all about what you think opponents will do the later rounds will be affected by the current scores since you would be more motivated to help someone who is behind or hurt someone who is ahead vs the first round where no scores are really known yet. The game isn't billed as being a complex one, it's obviously been designed to have just enough rules to get this intended game state across and I personally think it pulls that off. I discussed my impression of this one in a previous vlog, you can see that here if you are interested: ua-cam.com/video/Yt1JttZyuJ8/v-deo.html
@@JonGetsGames Took a look at your thoughts and I'm glad to see my hunch confirmed that the 'table discussion' adds a lot to the overall experience and I am happy to see you liked it a lot. I'd certainly be up for giving it a try if the opportunity ever presents itself. I was watching a Heavy Cardboard playthrough of Brass: Birmingham at the same time so going from heavy to a lot lighter was a bit of a whiplash :-)
Keep on keepin’ on with more cube rails!
This is a pretty cool game and considering on purchasing it. When railroads were building across the US in the second half of the 19th century, many towns would compete to have a railroad go through it. Many people did invest a lot of money and some did make it rich while others lost it all. Even railroad barons would seize the opportunity in getting people to invest and change their plans, which I believe was shady. I know Pullman and Spokane competed to be a railroad hub. Spokane was chosen and became a boom town overnight while Pullman stayed a farm town, but would get Washington State University in 1890.
Interesting history there, glad you enjoyed the video :)
Interesting game. I'm not sure how I feel about the "forced hand" actions when you basically have to lay track so you don't get bypassed. Great playthrough as always!
It's so strange seeing Shelby, MT featured in a game. I grew up there and it's little more than a speed bump of a town. My family moved to a different state when I was a teenager and the high school I went to literally had twice as many students as there were citizens of Shelby.
Also, pronunciation of some of the place names: Chinook is pronounced Shi-nook and Spokane is pronounced spoke-anne. (as in Anne the name) Would have loved to hear you give Butte a try! XD
I did look up the pronunciation for a couple cities, but obviously not enough.
Enjoyed the Age of Steam playthrough with Heavy Cardboard. Hope you choose to play another couple of maps before you make a decision on that game.
Hmm, what a strange game. I started wondering halfway through if "that was it" as it would make for a short game. And then it turns out you just play it three times without any real changes between rounds. It feels like padding, if I'm honest.
I am sure the dynamic at the table makes a big difference with people negotiating and shouting at each other or something but it just feels... light on content?
Ah, I see it is sponsored, that would explain a few things :-)
I've heard that many people do play it as each round being a "game", and that is an official variant in the rulebook. Since this game is all about what you think opponents will do the later rounds will be affected by the current scores since you would be more motivated to help someone who is behind or hurt someone who is ahead vs the first round where no scores are really known yet.
The game isn't billed as being a complex one, it's obviously been designed to have just enough rules to get this intended game state across and I personally think it pulls that off. I discussed my impression of this one in a previous vlog, you can see that here if you are interested: ua-cam.com/video/Yt1JttZyuJ8/v-deo.html
@@JonGetsGames Will have a look at that now. Thanks!
@@JonGetsGames Took a look at your thoughts and I'm glad to see my hunch confirmed that the 'table discussion' adds a lot to the overall experience and I am happy to see you liked it a lot. I'd certainly be up for giving it a try if the opportunity ever presents itself. I was watching a Heavy Cardboard playthrough of Brass: Birmingham at the same time so going from heavy to a lot lighter was a bit of a whiplash :-)