PLAYED FOR YOU

Cleopatra’s Caboose

Rail Baron Gods and pyramids

18xx at the time of Cleopatra – players place track, erect buildings and use the special abilities of Egyptian Rail Baron Gods to build up a network of railroads in ancient Egypt in order to deliver fruit to towns.

The game comprises a fixed number of rounds, always equal to the number of players. Each of these rounds comprises exactly two phases – an auction, followed by player actions.  In Phase 1 you bid with money for the order of play, only the first player can pass free of charge, the two players last in the bid pay their full bid, the players in between half their bid, rounded up. Adhering to the new order each player chooses a god. In Phase 2 you take auction cards and can then place track, set up a building, transport fruit or produce fruit, build a pyramid or draw town cards. After the last round you score: Each town has a total prestige of town prestige + pyramids and building markers as well as a number of trains in its neighborhood.  You count for each town, which player has how many trains in her neighborhood. For the majority in a town you score the total prestige of this town, for second and third place in majorities you score half or one quarter of the total town prestige. Then you score 1 point each for each set of 3 money units and points for openly displayed buildings and fruit of each player.

With this game Z-Man has managed to make a parody on a whole genre of games, the 18xx range of games, and an absolutely well-working and good railway game at the same time. Fun to play, even without shares and operation rounds, which should not missed by any fan of 18xx.

Players: 3-5

Age: 10+

Time: ca. 90 min

Designer: Steve Zamborsky

Artist: not stated

Price: ca. 47 Euros

Publisher: Z-Man Games

Web: www.zmangames.com

Genre: Railway game

Users: With friends

Version: en

Rules: en

In-game text: yes

Comments:

Parody of 18xx games, plays very well * very nice components * harmonious mechanisms, well combined

Compares to:

All railway games on track building and majorities

Other editions:

Currently none

Chance (pink): 0

Tactic (turquoise): 3

Strategy (blue): 1

Creativity (dark blue): 0

Knowledge (yellow): 0

Memory (orange): 0

Communication (red): 3

Interaction (brown): 3

Dexterity (green): 0

Action (dark green): 0