The positional stock alliances are still there, but they don't beat you over the head. This alone increases the player tension and the fun factor as the decisions in the last game turn are brain burners. The game mechanics are elegant and the strategy for the win is deceptive because of the end game. It's a stock and train game with easy rules, fast playing time, and good depth as well. SD reminds me of Union Pacific but the end game for SD is exhilerating.
Includes Age of Steam, Railways of the World, Railways of the World, plus all their expansions. Auctions get high here just to clinch the important efficient/cheaper builds. This can map get tough, I've already see two people almost go bankrupt (myself being one of them). The Ruhr Valley is a very nice map, it has much of the feel of the original Rust Belt, but works a little better (It doesn't have section that is only viable for late builds the way the Rust Belt does in the midwest). As an expansion, I give it an 8, which is still really a 10 (I rate expansion maps against each other rather than against all other games). I think it is good for people to have an easier option. I like how the auctions were removed for quick play and ease of learning. Martin took out the only thing that I thought was a flaw in the original game (production) and added a couple great twists (cleaning up bonds and income reduction and adding a money/vp decision). I feel that this is just another expansion, with some really fun rules that work toward a greater effect.
I've played quite a number of expansion maps from the original game so I'm used to how the system is manipulated to greater or lesser effect, but certainly creating different game play. I should also mention that of the over 1,500 games I've rated here on the geek, Age of Steam is my favorite game. I have to mention that I worked on this game. I find that these lists sometimes are helpful for others seeking similar games and the more rich the discussion for more useful the list.įor a complete listing of my Top 10 lists, see- MetaList: Nap's Top 10 Lists. FYI - I am a sucker for comments and discussion and usually most if not all of them. If I missed one that you feel is essential or I am "insane for not listing" (trust me, it has been said before), then by all means let the comments fly.
Feel free to this list (to draw attention and more comments) or any pleasing, interesting or thought provoking entries. This is a list of the BEST! As always, your mileage may vary and some entries may be "controversial." As such, please feel free to comment, debate, or just express your own point of view. These are games that meet substantially all of the following criteria: (1) involves trains a primary, key or focus of the game (2) can be economic, pick-up-deliver, route completion, etc., as long as it involves trains (3) compelling theme involving trains and (4) fun to play. But, I just gotta do it! Below is my Top 10 list of games with a train theme. Okay, I know this list is probably going to draw fire (or at least steam) as not covering "pure" train-economic games, by including TTR, for combining entries of "related" games, etc.