In MetroX, players create subway networks by filling in the station spaces on their individual game sheets. Using the numbers revealed by the cards, all players fill up their subway map with ◯s in the station spaces. However, the number of times they can add stations to each line is limited, so they have to make tough choices. Players can score many points by getting their star bonuses in stations with many intersecting routes. Players also get bonuses by being the first to complete routes. Try to fill in all your stations to minimize the penalties and achieve a high score!
In more detail, each player has their own sheet of paper, with all players using either the Tokyo or Osaka map. Each sheet shows an interwoven subway system, with the system consisting of many subway lines; each line has a name, a number of indicator boxes, a number of empty station boxes on the subway route, and two bonuses. On a turn, a player reveals the top indicator card from the deck of twenty cards, then each player individually and simultaneously chooses a subway line, then does something depending on which type of card is revealed:
If a number is revealed, the player writes the number in one of that line's indicator boxes, then draws a ◯ in each box in the line starting with the closest empty box, stopping when they've reached the end of the line, reached an already filled-in space, or drawn the indicated number of ◯s.
If a circled number is revealed, the player does what is described above, but they can skip over already filled-in spaces instead of stopping.
If a star is revealed, the player draws a star in one of that line's indicator boxes, then in the closest empty space on that line they write a number equal to double the number of lines that pass through that station box.
If a circle is revealed, the player writes nothing in an indicator box and draws a ◯ in any empty station box.
At the end of a turn, if a player has finished a subway line by reaching the final space, they announce this to all players, then score the larger of the two bonuses for this line; all other players cross out the large bonus and can score the small bonus for themselves if they complete this line later. Multiple players can score a line's bonus on the same turn. If the indicator card has a shuffle icon on it, shuffle all of the indicator cards together before the next turn.
Once all the indicator boxes are filled, the game ends. Players tally their points scored for completing lines and for writing numbers in boxes, then lose points based on the number of empty spaces that remain on their sheet. Whoever has the highest score wins!
- puzzle-like, highly engaging line-following mechanic
- great for fans of flip-and-write games
- high replay value with multiple maps (Tokyo and Osaka)
- downtime and table management can be noticeable in larger groups
- puzzle/flip-and-write, line completion
- Urban metro system with lines and stations
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- first empty/star mechanic — stars and specific scoring rules reward early completion of lines
- flip-and-write — deck is flipped to reveal a card; players write numbers on a paper track corresponding to lines
- limited line input — each line allows only two or three numbers; encountering filled stations forces stop
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I love it
- the fact that the game has you making a long-term strategy and really thinking lots of turns ahead but forcing you to reconsider your plans at every step of the way
- I was not expecting to like this game at all what happened is that I not only liked it but I loved this game
- this is dominating all of my desires to play games over this last month
- it's a very light style game
- this is absolutely a puzzle style experience
- the randomness of input adds freshness
- the beating heart of this game is the bag
References (from this video)
- Players fill up station spaces on their subway map.
- Players score points and bonuses.
- Players score points by completing lines.
- Lose points for any empty spaces that remain on the sheet.
- Trains / Subway networks
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Roll and Write — Players create subway networks by filling in station spaces on their individual game sheets using the numbers revealed by the cars that are played.
- Set Collection — Players score points and bonuses in a variety of ways.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- whether you're new to hobby or a seasoned gamer it seems there's always another game on the shelf waiting to be discovered
- welcome to the top 10 games we couldn't overlook this month
- keep your grilled cheese sandwiches dry and crispy
- according to the taunt al pali it's that time of year again
- however of course inevitably the side effect of this interaction with others is the sharing of philosophies
- i hate cheese i truly do but i do love board games
References (from this video)
- Brain-hurting in a good way
- Intriguing gameplay
- Lots of different approaches
- Exciting gameplay due to luck and reshuffles
- Race element adds tension
- Variable maps and content
- Unlockable content
- Overlapping stops create difficulty
- Finishing rails early can create problematic areas
- Transit system
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Consecutive spaces — Players must cross off consecutive spots without breaks.
- Deck reshuffle — There's a reshuffle card that allows the deck to be shuffled again.
- Flip and Write — It's a flip and write game.
- Overlapping routes — The transit system's stops overlap, making it difficult to draw consecutive spaces.
- Race for Points — Players race to finish rails faster for extra points.
- variable maps — The game includes new maps and different content, such as 'Tubetown' which has a different layout than the main 'Metro City' map.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This is probably one of the most unique roll and writes I think I've ever played.
- It's got a lot of challenging things in it and it's not a simple roll and write.
- You're taking tiles out of this central area, you're drafting tiles, and then you're placing those tiles into your grid on your paper.
- And then the scoring is based on sets of symbols.
- It uses very minimal components, just a pencil and paper.
- We're doing a giveaway.
- We'll be talking about the two games that we're being we'll be giving away actually today so if you're looking to win a copy of silver and gold or sonara then make sure you comment down below and check out our other videos to get even more.
References (from this video)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- I thoroughly enjoyed this game
- the combinations and everything in this game is just magical
- the scores are really high
References (from this video)
- Distinct from other flip and right games
- Interacting lines create cool crossover effects
- Finishing lines without direct additions is a cool touch
- Pressure of waiting for the right card
- Nice, thick deck of cards with limited reshuffles
- Tactical play is required
- System is super innovative and feels cool and different
- Plays in a great amount of time
- Scales extremely well
- Tons of replayability
- Difficult to explain verbally
- Can feel daunting and overwhelming initially
- Busy board
- Decisions and strategy can be murky initially
- Building metro lines
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Flip and Write — Players flip cards and write numbers on their metro lines, ticking off spaces.
- network building — Lines merge and cross, allowing piggybacking off previous efforts.
- Push Your Luck — Players must avoid gaps and wasted movement, as these can block progress.
- Route Building — Players extend multiple metro lines, aiming to reach the end of each.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This is where I take a look, rank, and review the last five new to me board games that I've played.
- I don't think there was enough for you to really take control of the game. The game kind of plays you more than you play the game.
- But I think the game became too messy in the process.
- I'm not quite sure what the unique selling point of this game is or what the standout mechanism is.
- But everything is blended together wonderfully.
- I've almost played so many euros now that it's a detriment. I played so many that everything's a comparison and everything feels like it's been done before.
- It feels definitely distinct to all the other little flip and right games I've played.
- The system is super innovative and it feels cool and different.
References (from this video)
- Players try to build different routes.
- Critically underrated.
- Expansions are very hard to obtain.
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Flip and Write — A criminally underrated flip and write style game.
- Roll and Write — A criminally underrated roll and write style game.
- Route Building — Players are trying to build different routes.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
References (from this video)
- Played this one, review coming soon
- Tracks overlap allowing for boosting other routes
- Can use routes as a booster to reach the end and score more points
- Difficult game to explain
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Combo Building — Some routes can be used to boost other routes, allowing players to reach the end and score more points.
- Flip and Write — A quirky little flip and right game where players flip cards and populate trains.
- Route Building — Players tick off boxes on tracks depending on the number placed on trains, with tracks overlapping.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This one is going to be a bit shorter and I've only got nine games or expansions to talk about.
- So, it sounds really tight. Uh it sounds clever and you know, by all accounts, it's getting very good reviews.
- It was one of the last kind of check boxes that I wanted to play before making my uh definitive top 10 games of 2024.
- So, you know, with games like Forest Shuffle, I think more is always more because you can create new combos and so on.
References (from this video)
- deceptively deep with two-sided maps
- potential for expansion variety
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Tile Placement — players place tiles to construct a network and build out stations.
- tile_placement — players place tiles to construct a network and build out stations.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Arc Nova was our most played game last year in terms of the length of time that we played it.
- the audio bit is holy cow nine days it's such a difference
- I love cats Explore and Draw every single day of the week
- it's just it's great to have a framework for fun
References (from this video)
- Appears in his month-to-month recap as part of his played games
- Contributes to the sense of variety in a single month
- Limited detail in the narrative for this particular game in the recap
- Code Names
- Werewolf
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- zia is chaotic it's exciting it's cruel it's beautiful and it's everything in between
- if you want to make the most out of your four and a half hour gaming window and you want a robust deep space experience
- it's labeling it a green legacy game and promising a full reset at campaign end
- this has been a mind at suggested game production and i'm alex your board game sommelier signing off
- Sonora is a combination of a dexterity and a roll and write game
References (from this video)
- Portable whiteboard game
- Uses markers instead of pieces
- Equal opportunity for all players
- No specific color dependency
- Can be played on trains
- Solves the choking hazard problem
- Maintains core Ticket to Ride appeal
- Slightly different gameplay than Ticket to Ride
- May not appeal to everyone seeking exact TTR replacement
- Subway system creation
- Urban transportation
- Route junctions and crossings
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Saying that Catan is the best game out there is like saying a 95 Camry is the best car ever - sure it set the standard in its day but things have progressed since then
- Are you looking to take your game collection to the next level?
- The castles of burgundy is the perfect next step for someone who's out there wondering if there's more to life than Catan
- Metro X is a much smaller and much lighter game that carries the joy of Ticket to Ride in a package you could bring on an actual train and enjoy
- That's Pretty Clever feels like if Yahtzee had an older brother that went to college got his degree and didn't develop a gambling addiction
- Hive is just the right amount of abstract thinking to feel like a challenge while still being fun
- Picture Perfect has those elements of Clue that have made it a staple for so many years - it cranks the deduction all the way up to 11
- When was the last time you made it to the end of a game of Trivial Pursuit without either cheating or giving up or throwing the game?
- Half Truth is a trivia game the way it's meant to be played - it's quick, it's fun, and it doesn't punish you too hard if you don't know something
- If your clue giver has any form of analysis paralysis at all then you might as well pick up a new hobby because you're going to be waiting forever
- So Clover is low stakes, it's quick, it's really easy to teach and you still get all the fun of hidden clues and word association
- You still get that Scrabble satisfaction of making the perfect word but it's in a time frame that's incredibly manageable
- The Crew takes the classic trick taking game formula and adds just enough of that special sauce to make it one of the most accessible and most fun games
- There are better games out there, there are way better games out there that fit those criteria and don't make your grandma cringe
- Monikers is a perfect party game that's super easy to learn and leads to a ton of memorable moments
- I'm a board game sommelier
- I hope this list gives you some ideas on what to give or what to ask for this holiday season
References (from this video)
- extremely portable and adaptable to many spaces
- simple rulebook and quick pace
- max players limited to six
- not always obvious how to maximize scoring without the full context
- abstract route-creation / urban mapping
- versatile urban-themed play field using a whiteboard
- lightweight and flexible for multiple environments
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Portable/versatile play spaces — Designed to be playable anywhere (floor, couch, patio, etc.).
- Whiteboard/dry erase play — Play uses a dry-erase board and pen for tracking progress.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- there's always room for family
- Magic the gathering is a living game and the amount of cards and abilities is always growing
- Fuse is a real time cooperative dice game
- the twist is the game has a strict 10 minute timer
- Werewords is a really simple game but the cool crossover between social deduction and word game
- Concept is a game that i hadn't played for a few years maybe but when we first got it it was one of my favorite games
- Cartographers is another one of those games that's really compact and you don't need much to learn it and start making your map
References (from this video)
- High variation with simple core mechanics
- Short playtime with tight decisions
- Strong mix of skill and luck
- Some players may want more depth per session
- Compact footprint may limit interaction
- Efficient transit network design
- Urban subway planning through a flip-and-write format
- pragmatic, puzzle-driven
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Flip and Write — Flip cards to reveal actions and write on boards to optimize routes.
- Strategic planning — Think ahead to maximize efficiency and scoring.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- i'll be doing a giveaway on my instagram page of the number one game at the end of this list
- i'll also be running a fundraiser to support the stop asian hate cause
- donation would mean the world to me if you'd donate and it might also earn you a few extra entries into the giveaway
- thanks so much for sticking around to the end
- yokohama is truly a gamer's game