The Tao of Gaming

Computerized nRails


Via this brilliant geeklist, I found a downloadable "Rails" game. Similar to, but not quite, Eurorails, etc.

Well, since I've always consider Eurorails a multi-player solitaire game, I figured I'd give it a shot. The computer opponents seem reasonable (I got crushed in a four player game, and barely won a two player game). And they play fast, about ten seconds for one of their turns. Given the free-form nature of the game ("What shall I build this turn among my zillion options?"), I'm quite impressed. The graphics are nice (if a touch cramped). You have to read the manual, but it only takes a few minutes to get going. (The manual is a 7 page word document).

But it still takes 45 minutes as a two player game, and longer as you add computer opponents. (Given that games run 70-80 turns, that's another 10 minutes per opponent). Just another reminder why I never play those games. A computer slash the duration by a factor of 8 and it still takes too long! Amazing. But I may play it on plane trips.

Ben Kindt (mail) (www):
My favorite downloadable game is the abandonware version of Avalon Hill's Advanced Civilization. True, the calamity cards can be pretty chaotic and it's hard to conceive how trading could shift the target of a barbarian invasion, but the overall sweep of history just feels right. What's more is this computer game is very true to the original board game rules and has very good AI.
3.30.2006 7:34am