Roads & Boats*

Roads & Boats is a complex and expansive board game that focuses on the development of civilization through logistics and transportation. Players start with basic resources and must strategically transport these goods to various production facilities to create new, more valuable items. The game is unique in its emphasis on logistics rather than territorial control: the only possessions players truly own are those being carried by their transportation units. This creates a dynamic play environment where facilities are communal and goods left unattended can be claimed by any player.

Gameplay Overview

• Resource Management: Begin with basic resources like donkeys, geese, boards, and stone, and evolve your civilization by creating more complex goods.
• Logistical Transport: Focus on the logistical challenge of moving goods between producers to create new items, using a variety of transportation methods.
• Ownership Dynamics: Own only what your transporters carry, making every production facility and resource up for grabs if left unsecured.

Special Features

• Modular Game Kit: Comes with a vast array of pieces, including terrain hexes, counters for commodities, wooden disks for transporters, and a roll of acrylic for drawing roads and bridges.
• Erasable Game Board: The unique setup allows for a customizable playing area with a clear plastic overlay to draw on and modify throughout the game.
• 20th Anniversary Edition: The latest edition includes the Roads & Boats: 20th Anniversary Edition which incorporates the &cetera expansion, enhancing gameplay with additional components and features.
• Upgraded Transporter Tokens: From the third edition onwards, the player transporter tokens have been upgraded to shaped wooden tokens for a better tactile experience.

Conclusion

Roads & Boats offers an unparalleled logistical challenge that requires careful planning and strategic foresight. Its emphasis on transportation and communal facilities introduces a unique twist to the civilization-building genre, where players must negotiate not only the production of goods but also their secure transport. With its modular design and the vast array of components, Roads & Boats presents endless replayability and strategic depth, making it a standout title for players looking for a demanding and rewarding board gaming experience.