Age of Steam

I dropped by the hideout as part of Beyond, where there was also a very honest study of the area’s grimy spots — which got top marks, naturally. The Germany map we played for Age of Steam with five people also got top marks: I liked it enormously, and the table had exactly the right level of tension, even though there was some serious bullying going on. I am still waiting for the day when the oppressed people of the hideout rise up and overthrow the gerontocracy.

In Age of Steam, the map is not just scenery; it determines what kind of game you are going to play. Choosing one has to fit the player count, because that is where the pace and pressure of the contest are built. The Germany map worked brilliantly for our five-player game in particular.

Interaction at the table is harsh and direct: there is fighting, there is targeting, and sometimes someone will feel they are being bullied. That is part of its charm, not a reason to throw it off the table — provided you do not put newcomers on a tournament-style map. I have foolishly done that in the past, and the result is simple: nobody has a good time.

Other than that, I do not have much to add: Age of Steam is a must-have for every collection. If you do not want to pay the hefty price of the EGG edition, look for one of the older editions; they can be found very cheaply.