Age of Steam Board Game First Impressions

Age of Steam has Rails, Shares and Building Routes… Must be Martin Wallace!

I finally get to play Age of Steam, the classic game with 16 years of positive reviews… Will this be another?

Steam-belching iron horses roar across the wild plains! Age of Steam relives the era when pioneering U.S. railroads built the tracks that transformed America’s economy. The cut-throat action is centred on the industrial powerhouses of the growing nation: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago, and beyond.

Challenges await you.

Age of Steam Review

This is an overview of this classic 18xx train game with simple rules along with my positives and negatives.

Update August 2018

So these games have been around for a while and despite being strategic and tough no one I know played them. I saw some people at a game group played one once, but that was years ago and I haven’t seen them since.

I think it’s because it’s a different genre of the game almost. Like a War Game or CCG, it’s almost outside the board game hobby in its own bubble. A lot of people that like 18xx games only play 18xx games. Much like some Wargamers, CCG players and miniatures gamers, they have something they like and they stick to it.

There is no real reason for it to feel this way about 18xx games other than the theme is quite dull. But then so are the theme for loads of other Euros. It’s unusual.

It might just be the people I played with?

The game is pretty good though. I have since played heavier games like 1846 and lighter games like Mini Rails. This slots right in there alongside all the other medium/heavy Euros.

It’s actually very rules-light. There are only a few things you need to know to play. However, to play well takes a bit more. Especially as one or two false steps, and it’s game over for you!

It shouldn’t happen, it isn’t an easy thing to do. This isn’t a 3 hour Euro game with player elimination 🙂

But it is possible to take care, don’t push too hard and manage your money well.

Jesta ThaRogue