Check out this game if: you’re looking for a game with a lot of interaction, some direct conflict, and a really fun theme.

This game stands out because: the great components give this game a three dimensional element -and it works well with the theme. This is a great game for anyone who loves trains and old west movies.

Positive:1. Hopping your character up and down the physical train is a lot of fun.2. Even with limited player actions to choose from it still feels like you have control over what you do.3. This game has pretty good player interaction.4. Player turns are typically quick (little down time).5. Game is not too long and feels satisfying to complete (even if you don’t win)

Negative:1. There is direct conflict (especially with higher player count).2. Some of the rules/play can feel a little finicky.

Brief Overview:In this game, everyone is trying to take money from the train. You obtain money by picking it up or taking it from another player. Everyone decides what they want to do before you see what everyone is doing. So, you may want to shoot someone, but they might move before you get the chance (or you shoot them before they get a chance to move).

Depending on a random deck of cards, each round of the game will have a different effect on the players (some encourage players to be on a certain car and others encourage players to take certain actions).

Number of Players

2-6

Age

10+

Time

45 mins

Friendly

★☆☆☆☆

Teachable

★★★☆☆

Replayability

★★★☆☆

Creative Freedom

★★★☆☆

Inclusive (no elimination)

★★★★★

Interaction

★★★☆☆

Versions:There is only one version of this game, but there are more games with this mechanic (playing cards before you know what other players are doing -programming). Other similar games are Killer Bunnies, Robo Rally, Robot Turtles, and Lords of Xidit.

Teaching Advice:Very first, set up the train (and give everyone a chance to touch it, because if you don’t they will just stare at the train and not listen to the rules).

Next explain what all the action cards do. Once everyone knows what the action cards do, explain the programmable concept of the game. Explain that everyone is going to choose action cards to play before taking the actions, and because everyone is making these blind programmable actions they may not work the way you want them to. It may take one round before everyone gets it, but you cannot loose the game in one round (so everyone should be okay with this learning curve).

Nice review! I think this is a great introduction to programming before getting into a game like Lords of Xidit, which can be a bit more finicky in the programming. And, yes, everyone needs to ooh and ahh over the train first. 😉 –TBM_Amber