Metro X

Fill in station circles on a Tokyo or Osaka subway map, chasing star bonuses where routes cross.

Designer: Hisashi Hayashi
Published by: OKAZU Brand
Editions by: Gamewright, Reflexshop, Kanga Games, Cryptic Cardboard

Metro X (2018) is a roll-and-write-style puzzle in which every player draws a subway network on their own sheet, using either the Tokyo or Osaka map. Numbers from the revealed cards tell everyone where to fill in station circles, but each line only has a limited number of additions, so you have to choose wisely. Points come from star bonuses in stations where many routes cross and from being the first to complete a route, while unfilled stations cost you points. One to six players, about twenty minutes, and everyone plays at the same time on their own map.

Tokyo and Osaka subway mapsStar bonuses at busy crossingsEveryone plays at the same time

Who it's for

You like roll-and-write and route-building puzzles, and want a short, quiet game you can also play alone or in pairs.

Not for you if…

You want much interaction. Everyone works on their own map, so the contest is mostly about your own sheet.

Vibe's take

Calm, simultaneous and puzzly. Everyone fills their own map from the same numbers, and the real tension comes from deciding which line gets the next circle before the options run out.