Trains

Trains

Card GameTerritory BuildingTrainsTransportation
Players
2-4
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
3 players
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
45 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
12+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
2.4 / 5
Year
2012

About the game

Trains casts players as railway capitalists in industrializing Japan, building a deck of cards that let you place stations and lay rail across a map of a growing city. Starting with a small, weak deck, you purchase better cards while pollution tokens clog up your deck as you expand: a clever twist on deck-building where growth comes with a cost. Efficient route-building and smart card purchases translate directly into victory points. It's a fast, tactile card game that packs real strategic depth into a 45-minute session.

Hobbli's Notes

Trains stands out among deck-builders for actually integrating a spatial board: laying rails and building stations on the map gives your deck real physical consequences. Hobbli's editorial team enjoys how pollution cards create a built-in tension between growth and deck efficiency. It's an accessible entry point into deck-building for gamers coming from Dominion who want a bit more table presence.

What we like

  • Combines deck-building with genuine spatial route-building.
  • Pollution-card mechanic adds a fresh strategic wrinkle.
  • Plays quickly at around 45 minutes.
  • Easy to teach to players familiar with deck-builders.

Keep in mind

  • Card purchasing can feel fiddly for newcomers to the genre.
  • Randomness in card draw can swing early-game momentum.
  • Map variety is limited without expansions.

Who it's for

Great for gamers aged 12+ who enjoy deck-building games and want a quicker, more tactile alternative with a map component, in groups of 2-4.

Mechanics

Deck / Bag BuildingHand ManagementNetwork and Route Building

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