Tin Goose

Rio Grande Games · Board game · 2016
3–5 · best 5 90–150 min Weight 3.0/5
rating Ludopedia
7.0 rating BGG
Buy
rating Ludopedia
7.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

A tense business game where reading opponents' hands is as vital as building routes.

Highlights
  • Deep economic management
  • Constant psychological tension
  • High-level strategy
  • Immersive unique theme
Keep in mind
  • Watch out for language barriers
  • Can be heavy for beginners
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready to take off into the golden age of aviation! Tin Goose transports you to the 1930s and 40s, where you step into the role of an entrepreneur attempting to build an airline empire from the ground up. In the beginning, things are quite rustic: you start with just a single airmail route and that classic 'tin goose', the Ford Trimotor, to keep things running. But don't be fooled, the business scales quickly! As the game progresses, you'll invest in more modern, safer, and longer-range aircraft, transforming a small regional operation into an industry giant.

The real standout here is that the game avoids the pure luck that often frustrates aviation game enthusiasts. In Tin Goose, chaos is planned. The deck of events and planes is large, but what truly matters is what your opponents are holding. Since disaster cards (think strikes, oil shocks, or even crashes) are distributed among players from the start, the game becomes a high-level psychological battle. If someone is making absurd bids on a super-safe plane, are they hiding a crash card to disrupt the market? It's a game of pure table reading, where greed and fear walk hand in hand. You must decide how risky you want to be to maximize profits before a calamity ruins your plans. It is a business management and route strategy challenge that rewards those who can read others' intentions and manage risks with mastery. If you enjoy economic management games with a constant layer of psychological tension, this is your flight!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

3–5 players
3 OK
4 BEST
5 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Country: USA
Publisher Rio Grande Games
Designer Matt Calkins
Artist Martin Hoffmann

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

727owners
267wishlist
65want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How difficult is the game?
It's a medium-to-heavy weight game, ideal for players who are already comfortable with strategy and management games.
Does the game rely heavily on luck?
Not at all! The standout feature is the planning; 'luck' is mitigated because you know the dangers are already in players' hands.
How long does a session last?
Expect anywhere from 90 to 150 minutes, depending on the number of players and the pace of competition.
How many players is it best for?
The game works great with 3 to 5 players, with player interaction being a highlight.
Do I need any extra components?
Since the game has technical terms, a translation sheet or translated cards will greatly help the game's flow.
Is it very competitive?
Yes, it's a competitive game of bidding and routes, where one player's move directly affects another's risk.

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