18US
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| 18US | |
|---|---|
| 18US to be published by Deep Thought Games | |
| Players | 2–6 |
| Age range | 12+ |
| Setup time | 10 minutes |
| Playing time | 4–6 hours |
| Random chance | None |
| Skills required | Strategy |
18US is a railroad operations and share trading board game in the 18xx series, to be published in 2006 by Deep Thought Games. The game, designed by David G.D. Hecht as an "advanced" 18XX game, is set in the continental United States. Unlike 18C2C or other, similar products, it is a very compact game: the entire "Lower 48" only takes up two map panels. There are twelve playable companies (six in the East and six in the West): two companies can be merged into a System.
In the East, the game simulates the early construction inland from the seaboard to the fall line, the crossing of the Appalachian Divide, and the race to the Mississippi River. In the West, the game simulates the government-subsidized race to cross the "Great American Desert" and the Continental Divide to establish one or more "Transcontinental Connections". Substantial "Golden Spike" bonuses are paid for establishing these connections: and of course no simulation of this era would be complete without allowing directors to loot their companies via the "Credit Mobilier".
There are bonuses both for passenger and freight runs. At the start, all of the trains score both bonuses: starting with the first permanent trains, however, it is necessary to specialize. As is generally the case, the nature of a player's network will push him in one direction or the other: a network that focuses on large cities may be optimized for passenger trains and their associated "coast-to-coast" bonuses (similar to the "red-to-red" bonuses in 1851 and 18EU), whereas one that is in a less densely populated area may be better suited to freight trains and their associated "token bonuses" (also similar to "red-to-red" bonuses, but in a different way).
18US is an advanced game (comparable to 1844), primarily suitable for experienced players, and can be played in 4-6 hours by 2-6 experienced players.
