18xx for newbies

[egg_salad]

18OE!

(I assume this is like posting Case Blue in a wargame discussion)

[Calandale]

I've not heard anything but size to really make that one (or C2C) stand out.

[egg_salad]

I've not heard anything but size to really make that one (or C2C) stand out.

And you feel size matters not?

[Calandale]

It matters some. Being able to see a whole continent's rail net grow is interesting.

Not sure it makes much difference from a gameplay stance though.

[weateallthepies]

Is 1830 a good place to start? It's the one that I see for a reasonable price most regularly.

I'd like to think I could get someone to play it, but it's probably going to be a solo venture at least until I'm happy to teach it.

[Calandale]

We opened it up at a gaming club and just started playing. Probably got a bit wrong,
but it was a very good experience.

Make sure if it's the new edition that it has the original short game though. That's a
treasure I wouldn't want to do without.

[egg_salad]

Is 1830 a good place to start? It's the one that I see for a reasonable price most regularly.

I'd like to think I could get someone to play it, but it's probably going to be a solo venture at least until I'm happy to teach it.

I was eased into 18xx by an experienced partner.  He feels strongly that 1825/29 (which have a less predatory stock market) are the best games to start with.  Of course, they are expensive and hard to find.

After he started me on these, I bought 1830 off of Ebay and played it with my son.  It was fun.  Neither of us knew enough to make it really ugly, but my son was definitely getting the idea (and he beat me, of course).  For a group of all newbies, I think 1830 is a fine place to start.

[Calandale]

I really disliked the '29 line of games. In part because of the less predatory market,
but also because the one I played was overly long and unbalanced. If I had seen
it first, I never would have played 'xx again, I suspect.

'35 is milder than most, but probably a little more enjoyable than the '29 designs.
I'm no big fan of it either though.

[egg_salad]

I really disliked the '29 line of games. In part because of the less predatory market,
but also because the one I played was overly long and unbalanced. If I had seen
it first, I never would have played 'xx again, I suspect.

'35 is milder than most, but probably a little more enjoyable than the '29 designs.
I'm no big fan of it either though.

I like 1829 mainline more than 1829.  And I like 1829 Mainline quite a bit.  Have not experienced 1829 as unbalanced, but I am no expert.

I suppose I like a little randomness, which 1829 Mainline adds in with the card dealing mechanic..

[Calandale]

'53 has a random card expansion. That's a really WEIRD one overall.

[weateallthepies]

OK going to keep an eye out for a cheap copy of the new version of 1830 I think. Cheers for the replies.

Has anyone played the old 1830 PC game? Have thought about getting a copy of that to give it a go too.

[Calandale]

OK going to keep an eye out for a cheap copy of the new version of 1830 I think. Cheers for the replies.

The new one is the one I'm not sure has the short game.

Has anyone played the old 1830 PC game? Have thought about getting a copy of that to give it a go too.

Yes. It does the rules well. The AI is terrible though. But it gives you a nice hotseat version of the game.

[weateallthepies]

OK going to keep an eye out for a cheap copy of the new version of 1830 I think. Cheers for the replies.

The new one is the one I'm not sure has the short game.

Has anyone played the old 1830 PC game? Have thought about getting a copy of that to give it a go too.

Yes. It does the rules well. The AI is terrible though. But it gives you a nice hotseat version of the game.

Thanks, might grab the PC game.

Ah yes misread your original post, I'll check on the short game before I buy any.

[Calandale]

I don't recall if the PC game supports it either. But hey, it's just abandonware.

[weateallthepies]

I don't recall if the PC game supports it either. But hey, it's just abandonware.

Yeah just tried it in dosbox and it runs fine. Might see if I can get it working on the ipad.