The Depot: An Advance Look at 1827

A map (this is the East Map) with Miami in the south, Chicago northwest and Boston northeast with good color graphics (much better than in the previous games); variable 1 or 2 map scenarios to have the best game for each number of player and time available for playing; an H-train system, as in 1850; some nice change in the stock round; the very useful minor companies; prestige trains and stations, historical characters, train builders; a very nice NY tile (you will see it!); well game-developed historical consideration about the opening of companies, the early importance of rivers, the conglomerations and more; a well thought rule about mountain lines; a lot of info printed on the map or the train table (little reading of rules during game); large share cards and nice tokens.

provided by Alex Barattieri [barattie@fileita.it]

Stuart Dagger adds: This is Federico Vellani's American game, and the beat playtest kit arrived a few days before I set off for Essen. I am still at the cutting out stage and so can't tell you too much as yet, not that I would in any case, since a designer is entitled to keep things under wraps until playtesting is complete. However, I can tell you that it looks interesting and that it is not the monster that I feared. The game is in two sections, eastern and western, and at present there are six scenarios. On the eastern map there is one scenario for 3-5 players and another for 4-6; on the western map the scenarios are one for 4-6 and another for 5-8. Only when you come to the scenarios for the two maps combined does it get large.

Of all the designers who have hitched a lift on the Tresham footplates, Federico is the most original. Others tweak the system; Federico strips it down and rebuilds it, and my early impression is that he has done it yet again. In addition to some entertaining bits of chrome, he has come up with some new and logical ideas at the core of the system and if it all hangs together it should make for a very interesting game. (Lifted from Sumo 25/26/27)

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dmreed@bihs.net last updated 25 December 1995