Welcome to Tokyo Metro!
Tokyo Metro is part of the Tokyo Series which is a set of 12 games from Jordan Draper with various guest designers, all based on real world simulations of the beautiful and overlooked life in Tokyo, Japan.
Every single game is modular. They can be played stand alone, in series (adding end game scores), or integrated with 1 or more other TOKYO titles for an expanded new experience.
The first three of the series are currently available via Kickstarter (ends 4thFeb ’18) and the titles are:
Tokyo Jidohanbaiki
Tokyo Metro (reviewed here)
Tokyo Jutaku
Last year the designer Jordan Draper also successfully brought us the excellent “Import / Export”, which is worthy of being in any games collection, so also, worth checking out.
Below the summary you will also find a photo review which can be found on my Instagram account @boardgamemeeple
BGM summary: If you like heavier side of gaming then I can’t recommend Tokyo Metro enough. It’s a great blend of worker placement, economic decision making, and area control. There is little luck and with so many actions to learn, a few play throughs with your gaming group will be needed to get the best experience.
When trying to describe what it’s similar to it’s quite difficult as it’s not like anything I’ve played before…it’s certainly not just another train economy game. Ask me again in a few months time.
From a design perspective it looks wonderful with its brightly coloured map and geometric stations and trains. The cloth map is functional and Jordan provided a new improved version which was slightly thicker to test as well.
With the added option to add modular parts from the rest of the series, this title is going to stay fresh. For example, another game in the first set called “Tokyo Jidohanbaiki” has vending machines and drinks at its theme. You can add part of that game to Tokyo Metro, which adds the placement of vending machines at your stations to make additional cash; nice!
Tokyo Metro gets the BoardGameMeeple ?? of approval. While it took me a few rounds to get my head around the actions and the concepts at play, I soon found my feet (or rails!) and throughly enjoyed every moment. I loved the area control and the thought process of picking the right locations for my stations (I did this badly!). The worker placement actions, and how a set of action cards is discarded each round meant important decisions were required how to utilise and when (and there are never quite enough workers!). Finally the economic decision making that is required on the investment / speculation on the train lines was great for the mind, and will be key to unlocking a win. Each game will offer a lot to improve on!
We look forward to receiving the final version later this year!
Useful links:Kickstarter Page
Note: Jordan sent me an excellent prototype copy to play and review with which has now been forwarded on for someone else to try. I am a paying backer on Kickstarter for all three titles. Nothing was charged for this review.