Automania
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 90 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.8 / 5
- Year
- 2015
About the game
Automania puts you in charge of a car factory, upgrading three intersecting assembly lines with machine tiles to customize the specifications of the cars you produce. Since the lines cross, each tile you place can affect more than one car type, forcing careful spatial planning. Finished cars sell into one of two markets, earning more the better they match current demand. Hired specialists help along the way, and the most profitable, prestigious factory wins.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's editors enjoy the spatial puzzle at Automania's core: the intersecting assembly lines force genuinely interesting trade-offs with every tile placed. A satisfying mid-weight industrial Euro.
What we like
- Intersecting assembly lines create a clever spatial puzzle.
- Real tension between customization and shifting market demand.
- Variable player powers add asymmetric strategy.
- Distinctive industrial factory theme.
Keep in mind
- 90-minute playtime plus rules overhead is a big ask for casual groups.
- Market demand swings can feel arbitrary at times.
- Limited direct player interaction beyond market competition.
Who it's for
Euro gamers who enjoy factory-optimization puzzles; ages 14+, groups of 2-4.
