The Last Spike

Columbia Games, Nasza Księgarnia · Board game · 2015

— Ludopedia 6.7 BGG 2–6 · best 4 45 min Weight 1.8/5

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— rating Ludopedia

6.7 rating BGG

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Our Verdict

RECOMMENDED

The Last Spike is a clever game that will appeal to those who enjoy economic decisions with a dash of luck. The mechanic of buying city deeds while everyone collaborates on the same railroad creates a unique balance between cooperation and competition. Tension builds as the line approaches Sacramento, with players calculating when to invest or hold resources. The reward for completing the railroad is juicy but doesn't guarantee victory - you need to manage your investments well!

Highlights

Unique mix of cooperation and competition
Strategic economic decisions
Building tension in endgame

Keep in mind

Can be frustrating for those who dislike speculation
Some games may have clear leaders early

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About the game

What you do in a play session

In The Last Spike, you and your friends become 19th century railroad tycoons competing to profit from building the first US transcontinental railroad. The board shows nine cities in a diamond shape, with St. Louis and Sacramento at the ends. Each player gets four track tiles, each with a specific cost and location. On your turn, you place a track on the board (paying the cost) and can buy city deeds. The strategy lies in choosing where to build: being first to place tracks near a city gets you free deeds! When two cities connect, all deed holders get paid - more deeds mean bigger profits. The game ends when someone completes the continuous line between St. Louis and Sacramento, earning a $20,000 bonus. But watch out: if you run out of cash, you'll have to sell your precious deeds! In the end, the richest player wins this speculation and building game that mixes cooperation (everyone works on the same railroad) with competition (each for their own profit).