First Class: All Aboard the Orient Express!*
First Class: Unterwegs im Orient Express, also known as First Class: All Aboard the Orient Express!, is a card-driven board game where players compete to build the most prestigious rail network, luxurious train cars, and cater to affluent passengers to earn fame points.
Gameplay Overview
- Rich Rail Network: Players focus on building an extensive rail network to score fame points.
- Luxurious Train Cars: Constructing and upgrading train cars is key to attracting elite clientele and scoring points.
- High-Value Passengers: Serving well-paying passengers further boosts players' scores.
Game Mechanics
- Card-Driven Play: The game integrates card and board game elements, offering a dynamic experience with each play.
- Limited Action Cards: Players choose actions from a limited selection each round, making strategic planning crucial.
- Diverse Scoring Opportunities: Points can be scored through various strategies, including train upgrades, route extensions, and passenger services.
Variable Game Setup
- Interchangeable Decks: First Class uses two out of five interchangeable action card decks per game, ensuring a unique experience every time.
- Module-Based Gameplay: Different game modules offer new challenges and thematic elements, from catering to celebrities to solving a murder mystery.
Conclusion
First Class: All Aboard the Orient Express! is an engaging and thematic game for players who enjoy strategy, planning, and the golden age of railway travel. Its combination of card game mechanics with a board game feel provides a unique and rich experience. With variable setups and multiple paths to victory, First Class offers high replayability and strategic depth, appealing to both casual gamers and those seeking a more complex challenge. Players are immersed in the competitive world of luxury rail travel, where strategic decisions and adaptability are key to becoming the most renowned railway mogul.
Nominated for 5 awards.
- 2 - 4 Players
- 40 - 80 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
We like First Class: All Aboard the Orient Express! so much that we recommend it in the following board game recommendation lists 2024
- Position 12 in All "Deutscher Spielepreis🇩🇪 2017" game award winners & nominees in comparison
- Position 11 in All games of the "Hunter & Cron Patreon Award 2017" list 🇩🇪
- Position 29 in The best games presented at the Spiel 2016 game fair in Essen, Germany