Game of Trains

Sort your train cars into ascending order before anyone else, swapping cards and using small tricks.

Designers: Alexey Konnov, Alexey Paltsev, Anatoliy Shklyarov, Trehgrannik
Published by: Brain Games
Editions by: Rebel Sp. z o.o., Broadway Toys LTD, Reflexshop, DV Games, SD Games, ABACUSSPIELE, Buró, GP Games, Story Factory

A race to put your train in order. Your line starts as numbered train cars sorted from highest to lowest, and your job is to flip it into ascending order before anyone else. On your turn you pick one of two moves: draw a card and swap it in for a car in your line, or grab a face-up card from the middle and use its special power instead. Every card carries a number and a power, so a good swap can also be a cheeky attack on a neighbour. It is a tiny card game of ordering and take-that, with a rule sheet that fits on a napkin and about twenty minutes of table chatter.

Sort your line from high to low and backSpecial powers on every cardSwap from the pile or take from the middle

Who it's for

You want a quick card race with a bit of mischief, for four people with twenty minutes to spare.

Not for you if…

You like deep planning, or you dislike take-that cards that undo your progress.

Vibe's take

Quick and a bit cheeky: you are always one swap away from finishing, and someone's special power can wreck that. Short turns keep everyone involved.