On the Underground
- Players
- 2-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 7+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.4 / 5
- Year
- 2006
About the game
On the Underground has players building competing underground railway lines across London, trying to connect valuable stations while guiding a shared passenger token toward their routes. Each turn, players extend their lines by four track pieces, scoring points for reaching national rail stations, termini, and matching connection tokens, or by forming a closed loop. Meanwhile, a passenger moves toward destination cards using the shortest available route, scoring points for every player line it travels through. It's a clever network-building game where efficient, well-placed track wins out over sprawling coverage.
Hobbli's Notes
This is a route-building game that rewards precision over expansion: a few smartly placed tracks often beat a huge network. The passenger mechanic creates a nice tension between building for your own connections and anticipating where the shared passenger will travel next. It has more bite than family train games like Ticket to Ride, while still being approachable. A great pick for groups who like transportation-themed strategy with some spatial planning.
What we like
- Rewards efficient, targeted track placement over pure expansion.
- The shared passenger mechanic adds shared tension every turn.
- Multiple viable scoring paths keep strategies varied.
- Fits a real city map theme that train fans will appreciate.
Keep in mind
- Can feel fiddly to track all the scoring conditions at first.
- Downtime can build with the full player count.
- Newer players may struggle to anticipate the passenger's route.
Who it's for
Suited to strategy-minded players aged 10 and up who enjoy route-building and spatial planning games.
