Pacific Rails Inc.

Board Game Geek Reviews

1. 7 out of 10

   dusk2dawn

   The components of the deluxe edition of Pacific Rails are truly marvelous. The attention to detail and quality of the components sets a high standard that I wish all board games could achieve. The tactile experience and visual appeal greatly enhance the overall enjoyment of the game. One of the standout features of Pacific Rails is the combination of a novel worker placement and tile laying mechanism. This unique blend adds depth and strategic choices to the gameplay, creating a compelling experience for players. The integration of these mechanics showcases the game's innovative design. However, one aspect that could be improved is the scalability of the game for low player counts. With fewer players, the map can feel excessively large, resulting in wide open spaces for each player to build their rail tracks. This can lead to a less engaging experience and a lack of meaningful interaction. To address this, it would be beneficial to consider the inclusion of a double-sided map in an expansion, featuring a smaller map specifically designed for two players. This would help create a more balanced and engaging experience for lower player counts. Additionally, the inclusion of a solo mode would be a welcome addition to Pacific Rails. Solo modes not only enhance the replayability of a game but also provide an opportunity for solo players to fully immerse themselves in the gameplay experience. Adding a solo mode would further broaden the appeal of Pacific Rails and cater to a wider range of players. Overall, despite the scalability challenges at low player counts, Pacific Rails showcases an excellent fusion of worker placement and tile laying mechanics. The deluxe edition's outstanding components contribute to the game's overall quality and enjoyment. With the potential for a tighter experience through a double-sided map expansion and the addition of a solo mode, Pacific Rails has the opportunity to become an even more compelling and versatile game.

2. 7 out of 10

   beachgirlpcola

   Better game, and more fun to play, than I expected, based on the comments. Some unique twists on worker placement and tile laying. Definitely worth downloading the 2nd edition of the rules. Not really as complex as it appears. I almost culled it w/o playing it, after reading the negative comments. Glad I didn’t, it’s a fun game.

3. Helena Handbasket

   This game is a sort of a worker placement, resource mgmt, engine builder, with some tile laying. Retail edition has excellent components! It's a table hog but it also looks good out there. I like how you collect resources in town & manage the growing train. Some GREAT ideas tightly packed into this box! Unfortunately, maybe a few too many. It starts off badly with a poorly organized rulebook which left a lot of unanswered questions during our first play. I rewrote the rule book for our own use, substituting some house rules to simplify things - mostly in scoring track. Now we absolutely love it!