Mississippi Queen – Game Instruction

Objective of the Game

In Mississippi Queen, players take on the roles of steamboat captains racing down the Mississippi River. The objective is to be the first to navigate through the end of the river tiles while managing coal (fuel) and picking up passengers along the way.

Components

• A game board comprised of flexible hexagon tiles
• Steamboat models for each player
• Fuel indicators and speed indicators
• Passenger tokens
• Anchor tiles and other markers

Setup

1. Lay out the starting and end tiles of the Mississippi River. Shuffle the remaining river tiles face down.
2. Each player selects a steamboat and the corresponding markers.
3. The boats are placed at the starting position; each starts with a speed of 1 and at maximum fuel.
4. Prepare a reserve of passenger tokens.

Gameplay

The game is played over several rounds, each consisting of the following phases:

1. Determine Order: The order is determined by the position of the boats on the river. The boat furthest ahead moves first. In case of ties, speed decides.

2. Maneuver the Boat: At the start of their turn, a player can increase or decrease speed by one point. The maximum speed a boat can reach is 6.

3. Move the Boat: Players move their boats according to their speed. Movement is only along hexagon tiles. Turning costs one unit of movement.

4. Pick up Passengers: When passing by passenger tokens, players can pick them up. Each player must have two passengers on board before the game ends.

5. Fuel Consumption: Each turn a player must use fuel points for each movement unit. If fuel is depleted, the turn ends and continues at minimum speed.

6. Uncover River Tiles: Once a boat leaves the last uncovered river tile, a new one is placed.

End of the Game

The game ends as soon as a boat reaches the end tile with two passengers. This boat wins the race.

Strategic Tips

• Save Fuel: Always keep an eye on fuel consumption. Efficient maneuvering lets you stay longer in the race.
• Control Speed: Going too fast may cause you to lose control of your boat. Plan your turns ahead.
• Maneuver: Properly positioned actions and early uncovered tiles can give you the crucial advantage.

Advanced Rules

• Optionally, additional obstacles can be added through markers to increase difficulty or special passenger rules can be introduced.

With these rules, you're ready to dive into the exciting race along the Mississippi River!