Objective of the Game
In Next Station: London, your goal as a city planner is to design the most efficient underground network in London. Working together with up to four players, you are tasked throughout the game with drawing lines that pass through different boroughs, connect landmarks, and achieve specific planning objectives.
Game Materials
- A set of cards with templates for underground maps
- Pencils or special pens for drawing
- Scoring sheets to track points
Setup
- Each player receives an underground map tableau.
- Shuffle the cards well and place them face down as a draw pile.
- Make all necessary game materials (pens and scoring sheets) available.
- Determine a starting player.
Gameplay
The game is played over several rounds, each divided into two phases:
Phase 1: Planning
- Draw one of the cards and announce the symbol on it. Each card has a specific symbol corresponding to a location in London.
- All players must find this symbol on their plan.
- Players draw a line from the predetermined starting station to an adjacent location based on the drawn symbol.
Phase 2: Line Connection
- Players try to place lines efficiently connecting underground stations to earn as many points as possible at the end of the round.
- Lines cannot cross or overlap, requiring strategic planning.
- Note the points earned for reaching special zones or connecting important landmarks in London.
End of Round
- The round ends when a previously set number of cards have been drawn and played.
- Points are scored based on which players have created the most efficient and valuable connections.
Scoring and Winning Conditions
- At the end of each round, points are earned for every station reached, borough crossed, and landmark connected.
- The specific point distribution is explained on the accompanying scoring sheets.
- The player with the most points at the end of all rounds wins the game.
Strategic Tips
- Plan ahead for where potential lines can be placed to make later moves more efficient.
- Try to secure the hardest-to-reach points early.
- Make sure to cross multiple boroughs and connect as many landmarks as possible to maximize points.
Conclusion
Next Station: London is an engaging and strategic board game that requires strategic thinking and forward planning. From the first line, your planning skills will decide your success and ultimately the victory!
