Review
Import / Export
Import / Export takes the lead/follow engine of Glory to Rome and Eminent Domain, gives it an economic setting, and makes a more convincing case for a fuller table. Its graphic design gets in the way, but the system moves well enough to merit further plays.
- Published
- 2017
- Designer
- Jordan Draper
- Publisher
- Dark Flight, Giant Roc, Jordan Draper Games
- Players
- 2–6
- Playing time
- 90 min
Import / Export is, at heart, a lightly revised version of the lead/follow engine familiar from Glory to Rome and Eminent Domain, dressed in economic clothing. Its lineage is not subtle: this is Eminent Domain in different overalls, and that is not a criticism.
The revisions matter chiefly in multiplayer. Where I would not readily choose Eminent Domain with five, Import / Export moved along perfectly well. The interesting decision is whether those modest alterations are sufficient to turn a familiar system into a more comfortable large-table experience; here, they appear to be.
Where I would not readily choose Eminent Domain with five, Import / Export moved along perfectly well.
TheTrainSpotter
The graphic design is a slight drag. A game that asks players to read its economic state and available options clearly ought to present that information more cleanly. It does not damage the engine, but it adds friction that need not be there.
Even with that visual obstacle, Import / Export does its job capably: it takes a proven engine, shifts it towards multiplayer, and keeps it lively enough that I want more plays. For a system with such an obvious family tree, that is quietly excellent.
Even with that visual obstacle, Import / Export does its job capably: it takes a proven engine, shifts it towards multiplayer, and keeps it lively enough that I want more plays.
TheTrainSpotter
Source: BoardGameGeek
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