Isle of Trains: All Aboard

Dranda Games, Bad Boom Games, Board Game Circus · Board game · 2023
1–4 · best 3 Solo 60 min Weight 2.3/5
6.9 rating Ludopedia
6.9 rating BGG
Buy · from US$ 17.97
6.9 rating Ludopedia
6.9 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy card games with engine building and a touch of strategic interaction, Isle of Trains: All Aboard might be your new obsession! It's a lightly strategic game that makes you think about how best to use your cards.

Highlights
  • Clever multi-use cards
  • Addictive engine building
  • Subtle, rewarding interaction
  • Good solo play option
Keep in mind
  • Can feel a bit samey
  • Luck of the draw matters
  • Focus on contract fulfillment
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In Isle of Trains: All Aboard, you step into the shoes of a master train builder and conductor on the island. The goal is clear: construct the best possible locomotive, load it with goods and passengers, and fulfill contracts to become the greatest railway tycoon in the region. This card-based engine-building game shines with its multi-use cards. Use them as freight cars, passenger cars, locomotives, or even buildings that boost your train's capabilities. Need funds for expansion? Cards also serve as currency to build new parts for your train or act as valuable cargo. Keep an eye on the randomly appearing passengers; delivering them to their destinations grants powerful instant bonuses! And the icing on the cake: loading cargo or passengers onto your opponents' trains also rewards you with extra bonuses, though it helps the rival get closer to their goals. The game concludes when a set number of contracts are completed or passengers are delivered. The player with the most points, earned from train construction, completed contracts, and deliveries made, wins. Isle of Trains: All Aboard is a constant balancing act between upgrading your own train, subtly hindering rivals, and being the fastest to complete the routes.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

2 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 REC
2 REC
3 BEST
4 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Components: Multi-Use Cards Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Players: Games with Solitaire Rules
Publisher Dranda Games, Bad Boom Games, Board Game Circus, Happy Meeple Games, Lotus Frog Games, Maldito Games, TTGames CZ, YOKA Games, Ігромаг
Designer Dan Keltner, Seth Jaffee
Artist Denis Martynets

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the complexity of Isle of Trains: All Aboard?
The game's complexity is considered light to medium. The rules are easy to grasp, but there's strategic depth for those looking to optimize their plays. Its BGG weight is 2.27/5, indicating it's quite accessible.
How long does a game typically last?
A game of Isle of Trains: All Aboard usually takes about 60 minutes, making it ideal for a game session that doesn't drag on too long.
How many players can participate?
The game is designed for 1 to 4 players. It plays well at both the minimum and maximum player counts, and also features a dedicated solo mode.
Do I need to know English to play?
Physical copies might have text on the cards, but there's a lot of community material and translations available online. Digital implementations usually offer multi-language support.
Is this game more about direct or indirect competition?
The interaction is mostly indirect. You can load cargo onto opponents' trains for bonuses, which helps them slightly but benefits you more. The main competition is the race to complete contracts and deliveries first.
What makes the 'multi-use' cards interesting in this game?
Cards can be used as train cars (freight, passenger, locomotive), as currency to build more cars, or as cargo to be transported. This flexibility demands planning and gives you multiple options each turn.

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