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Description
In Steam you build railroads and deliver goods along an ever changing network of tracks and stations. You build the tracks, upgrade towns, improve your train, and grab the right goods to make the longest, most profitable deliveries. Score your deliveries and add to your income or victory points, balancing your need to invest against your quest to win the game.
Steam contains a beautiful, double-sided game board. The map on each side depicts terrain, towns, and cities at the start of the railway age. The map of the northeastern USA and neighboring Canada is ideal for 3 or 4 players. Use the map of Europe's lower Rhine and Ruhr region when playing a 4 or 5 player game. You can play Steam on any number of current and future variant and expansion maps, so we include pieces for 6 players.
The game plays very similarly to Age of Steam but with modifications to some of its mechanics and artwork. Tracks for income, train level, etc. are all printed on the board around the map such that alternate maps can be overlaid on the board and the necessary tracks will still be able to be used.
Similar to:
Railways of the World
Year Published
2009
Featured Videos
Review
Steam up in about 3 minutes
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 9
This page: 9
Sentiment:
pos 7 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–9 of 9
Video FwZTTNKbyCk
Unknown top_5_list at 0:30 sentiment: other
video_pk 61962 · mention_pk 154583
Click to watch at 0:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
Unknown
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Unknown
- Unknown
- Unknown
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video pJWbsYTx4T0
We Wake Up CA game_review at 7:05 sentiment: positive
video_pk 60414 · mention_pk 152811
Click to watch at 7:05 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Innovative cooperative-competitive dynamic
- Engaging social interaction and teamwork training
- Versatile for large groups (up to 12 with double boxes)
- Different roles let players explore strengths
- Range of difficulties and replay variability
Cons
- Requires multiple players; not ideal for solo play
- Some roles depend on others' performance; can be frustrating
- Setup and rules can be complex for newcomers
Thematic elements
- teamwork under time pressure, nonverbal and verbal communication
- team-based cooperative-competitive puzzle using 3D blocks
- live action/acting-based puzzle conveyance
Comparison games
- Ubongo 3D
- Katamino
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- 3D block-based shapes — use 3D blocks to form shapes described by participants
- limited communication — board game using body language and limited speech
- Nonverbal communication — board game using body language and limited speech
- team-based role assignment — three players/three roles; one sees the card, one acts, one describes
- timed challenge — complete the puzzle within time; fastest wins
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I really like this game
- there's a solo mode so you can actually just go through all these puzzles
- the puzzles are tricky
- you can race to see who finishes it the fastest
- there's a lot of utility… portable and travel friendly
- it's a perfect game for the dentist's office when you're in the waiting room
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video n2W8nS_RHJY
Unknown Channel top_50_list at 31:18 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 60141 · mention_pk 152592
Click to watch at 31:18 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Elegant core rail-game with maps and map variety
- Good depth with multiple maps and play styles
Cons
- Advanced bidding rules can complicate entry
- Some maps can confine player interaction
Thematic elements
- rail transport and logistics
- steam-powered industrial era
- historical Euro with crunchy decisions
Comparison games
- Power Grid
- Railways of the World
- Ticket to Ride
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Action selection with map maps — Play cards or take actions to place trains and deliver goods
- Auction/turn-order (advanced rules) — Optional rule set adds bidding for turn order and actions
- Network/route building — Players lay track and build rail networks across Europe
- Route building and network expansion — Players lay track and build rail networks across Europe
- Turn Order: Auction — Optional rule set adds bidding for turn order and actions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- that's number 50, that's Stone Age
- Just One is really a party game to me
- it's app assisted... and the stories evolve
- Monk ala... activate all these other spots on the board
- it's almost like watching a TV show
- the app lets you hint and push through
- Steam has two sets of rules - advanced and normal
- Unlock is probably for me my favorites of this sort of escape room puzzle solving thing
- Airlines Europe is almost like a train game but it's an airline game
- Eldritch Horror... big map and globe-trotting encounters
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video WZ1LHqdN894
Adam's Board Game Whale analysis at 0:01 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12563 · mention_pk 36646
Click to watch at 0:01 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Deep, complex economic game
Cons
- Very complex
- Long play time
Thematic elements
- Train transport
- Economic simulation
Comparison games
- Via Nebula
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6kJsoRtRyyQ
Collection Essentials top_10_list at 5:33 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10455 · mention_pk 100373
Click to watch at 5:33 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- fast and chaotic with lots of interaction
- table talk is a strength, encouraging social play
- scales well with players and teams
Cons
- luck can be influential; some may want more control
- complex scoring can be confusing for first-timers
Thematic elements
- sabotage and strategic hand manipulation
- team-based card exchange and hand management
- lively, competitive, social
Comparison games
- Carbo
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- hand management — Two teams try to minimize points by managing a shared hand and card exchanges.
- scram risk mechanic — Calling scram ends the round with a risk: if your team has the lower hand, you score nothing and the other team gains.
- table talk and collaboration — Active table talk and persuasion influence decisions.
- team-based hand management — Two teams try to minimize points by managing a shared hand and card exchanges.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Pitch Out is such an underrated game I rarely hear anybody talking about it
- Skull is a game that's all about bluffing
- it's a d little game but absolutely anyone can play it
- Scout is my favorite card game of all time
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _24VLi47Rc0
Three Minute Board Game game_review at 2:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10057 · mention_pk 100013
Click to watch at 2:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Visually striking and thematic presentation
- Fast-paced, light and highly interactive
- Distinct player powers add variety
- Chaotic, competitive fun that rewards timing and sniping last-dish strategy
Cons
- Can be chaotic and rely on luck with fortune cards
- Balance of powers may be uneven and not critical to enjoy the game
- Limited depth or strategic space for heavier gamers
- Endgame feel is a rush rather than a measured strategy
Thematic elements
- competitive dining and dim sum collection
- Dim sum restaurant / rotating dim sum steamers
- light, humorous, party-game energy
Comparison games
- Rival Restaurants
- Planet Unknown
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- End-of-game triggers — Game ends when fate cards run out or the steamers track reaches zero.
- Fortune cards — Fortune cards grant effects, can be discarded or played, affecting turn order and interference with others.
- scoring via covering numbers — Steamer stacks yield points as you cover numbers on your board; higher totals worth more points.
- set collection — Grab food tokens from supply, and spend tokens to buy steamers; tokens also used to score points as you cover numbers on your steamer.
- token collection and set-collecting — Grab food tokens from supply, and spend tokens to buy steamers; tokens also used to score points as you cover numbers on your steamer.
- Turntable rotation — Fortune cards or player actions rotate the turntable 90 degrees, changing available options and token alignment.
- two distinct actions per turn — On each turn, players must take two actions, and the actions must be different; actions can be performed in any order.
- Unique player powers — Each player board corresponds to a zodiac animal with a unique starting resource and scoring twist.
- Variable player powers — Each player board corresponds to a zodiac animal with a unique starting resource and scoring twist.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Steam Up is a very light fast-paced and somewhat silly game about fighting over a turntable of dimsum at a Chinese restaurant.
- It's a low complexity game that has its elbows out.
- Not a deep game and you shouldn't take it too seriously; recommend to people who play games to have fun.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video _n-_KwavI60
Tabletop Turtle general_discussion at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6606 · mention_pk 19600
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive_but_outdated
Pros
- great Martin Wallace design
- offers lots of strategy
- plays really well
Cons
- better alternatives exist
- pure route building game
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I'm very Cutthroat here - I much rather save budget for a new game, save space for new games
- not all games are forever games - sometimes it's totally okay to buy a game with the expectation of playing it for about five years and then not wanting to play it again
- I can still respect I played a lot of Steam, but I just don't want to play it anymore
- there's so much hate on like oh you can't be like dipping your chosen to miniature games - but as adults there's so much hate on that
- when you own a lot of games there's a lot of rules up here and the tough thing is that when there's so many rules up here you need some games that you teach or play later to be a little intuitive
- the difficulty I have with it is that when I explain it to new players it's tough to explain - each player has a different ruleset
- I think that's one of the first games that if it didn't invent that concept at least popularize it
- if the game is going to warrant me having to do separate explanations for everybody, extra effort - it's got to be really damn good and Vast isn't really damn good
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 3oJ40IFcaCI
Foster the Me seasonal_recommendation at 3:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4453 · mention_pk 13063
Click to watch at 3:27 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Makes steam (vapor) visible in cold air like winter
- Train theme connects to winter via Polar Express association
- Solid game mechanics
- Thematic for winter season
Cons
- Rules can be complex and easy to play incorrectly
- Older game that may be difficult to find
Thematic elements
- Building steam-powered train routes and networks
- Historical railway networks
- Economic network-building strategy
Comparison games
- Steam Up
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — Compete for control of railway routes on the board
- Route Building — Build out railway roots/routes across the game board
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's almost like a cozy kind of game cuz you can play it solo if you want
- heat is something that we all need in the winter because if you don't have heat guess what you freeze to death
- when I see a train I think winter every time
- it might be the weirdest racing game we've ever played
- winter was such a thing it was a Vibe
- the snowsuits were on point
- winter I would I would have been doing two things all winter I was either on the pond skating playing hockey or I was um at my neighbors like my grandparents Hill sledding sledding all winter that's all I did
- Jeff I just wish winter would end but it is endless
- you wear a mask when it's cold outside protect your face that's good advice
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Fzac4MEc7C0
Unknown Channel top_50_list at 22:19 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1019 · mention_pk 2874
Click to watch at 22:19 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Pure and accessible with multiple maps
- Balance of simplicity and depth
- Great replayability through maps
Cons
- Competitive but sometimes cold arithmetic
- Complexities can be intimidating for some players
Thematic elements
- Railway empire with maps and network expansions
- Industrial revolution rail world; global logistics networks
- Purity of design with maps and strategy-first approach
Comparison games
- Age of Steam
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — control of routes and map areas
- area control / route blocking — control of routes and map areas
- Card-driven actions — cards used to drive actions and events
- map-driven routes and network building — layout and optimize rail networks
- modularity via maps — many maps to alter dynamics
- Network/route building — layout and optimize rail networks
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the cards can actually become the terrain, you're creating the battlefield as you play
- it's organic, not like rigid and sterile landscape
- Splendor starts with everyone just silent, then the game escalates into intense negotiation
- you can play cards to become the terrain so you're building the battlefield as you go
- you can kind of bluff and read each other with the command and colors system
- it's a pure and accessible civ-like experience that scales well with人数
- the negotiation and hotel-dynamics in Lords of Vegas create a very social table
- Age of Steam-level purity with Steam's maps adds a refreshing clarity
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–9 of 9