Breaking Away

Fiendish Board Games, New Games Order, LLC · Board game · 1991
2–9 · best 6 60–90 min Weight 2.3/5
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG
Buy
8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.3 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy pure strategy racing games with no luck, Breaking Away is a classic worth checking out. It's a brainy challenge disguised as a bike race!

Highlights
  • Pure strategy, no luck
  • Tactical team management
  • Intense peloton interaction
  • Constant movement dilemmas
  • High replayability
Keep in mind
  • Initial learning curve
  • Can be long with many players
  • Theme might not appeal to all
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready to feel the wind in your face and the adrenaline of competition in Breaking Away, a cycling race game that removes luck from the equation and puts your strategy to the test! Here, you take command of a team of four cyclists, and every move is a crucial decision. The mechanic is elegant: you choose one of your available movement allowances and advance the corresponding number of squares. But the magic happens after all cyclists have moved. Your spent movement allowances are replaced with new ones, and the trick is that their value depends on your cyclist's position in the peloton. Those drafting at the back of a group gain a high value, perfect for recovering, while the leaders receive a lower value, requiring more planning to stay ahead. This creates a delightful dilemma: do you 'slipstream' other riders to accumulate movement and make a decisive attack later, or do you attempt a heroic breakaway to be the first to cross the sprint lines and the finish line? Sprint points are earned by being among the first eight to cross these intermediate lines, adding another layer of tactics to your journey. The original Fiendish Games edition came with six teams, but if you wanted to call everyone, you could order more teams and play with up to twelve people. The New Order Games edition is for 3-5 players, with a separate expansion to include four more.

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–9 players
2 OK
3 OK
4 REC
5 BEST
6 BEST
7 REC
8 OK
9 OK

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Digital Implementations: BoardSpace Sports: Bicycling / Cycling
Publisher Fiendish Board Games, New Games Order, LLC
Designer John Harrington

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

487owners
211wishlist
115want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can play Breaking Away?
The original Fiendish Games edition supports 2 to 6 players, but with additional teams, it's possible to play with up to 12 people. The New Order Games version is for 3-5 players, with an expansion allowing 4 more.
What is the average game length?
A game of Breaking Away typically takes between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of players and familiarity with the rules.
Is Breaking Away a complex game?
It's considered a medium-weight game (2.27/5 on BGG), meaning it has considerable strategic depth, but the basic rules are accessible. Complexity arises from the tactical decisions made each turn.
Does the game rely on luck?
No! Breaking Away is renowned for being a cycling game completely devoid of luck. Your victories or defeats depend purely on your strategic and tactical choices.
Who is Breaking Away recommended for?
It's perfect for those who love abstract strategy games, racing, and sports simulations that value planning and anticipation. If you enjoy thinking ahead and adapting to opponents' moves, you'll have a great time.
What are the main components of the game?
The game comes with a modular board simulating the race track, miniatures or markers for each team's cyclists, and cards or tokens for movement allowances. Editions may vary slightly in details.
Are there any expansions for the game?
Yes, the New Order Games edition has an expansion that allows you to add four more players, expanding the participant capacity in your cycling race.

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