Now Boarding
- Players
- 2-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 5 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.2 / 5
- Year
- 2018
About the game
Now Boarding is a real-time cooperative game from designer Tim Fowers in which two to five players work together to fly a fleet of airplanes, delivering passengers to their destinations before they grow too angry. New passengers keep arriving throughout the game, and players can upgrade their planes to fly faster and carry heavier loads to keep pace with demand. The game's central twist is that all players take their turns simultaneously in real time, opening up clever hand-offs of passengers between planes. That simultaneous structure pushes the familiar pick-up-and-deliver genre into fast, frantic new territory.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's team considers this one of the more inventive real-time cooperative designs out there - the simultaneous turn structure genuinely changes how a pick-up-and-deliver game feels. It rewards quick communication and teamwork under pressure, delivering a satisfying rush when a well-coordinated hand-off pays off. Sixty minutes flies by, making it a great high-energy choice for groups who enjoy a bit of organized chaos.
What we like
- Simultaneous real-time turns create a genuinely fresh pick-up-and-deliver experience.
- Rewards quick teamwork and communication under time pressure.
- Plane upgrades add a satisfying sense of progression during play.
- Sixty-minute playtime keeps sessions energetic and replayable.
Keep in mind
- Real-time chaos can overwhelm players who prefer slower-paced games.
- High energy pace may stress less experienced or younger players.
- Strategic depth diminishes somewhat once optimal patterns are learned.
Who it's for
Groups who enjoy fast-paced, real-time cooperative games; best for two to five players, ages 10 and up.
