Airlines Europe, a game that has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, partly due to its scarcity and the cries of “out of print!” echoing through the board game community. Now, after an arduous search for a used copy, I finally had the opportunity to experience the thrill of building an airline empire and conquering the European skies. Did it live up to the hype? Well, let’s just say it was a pleasant flight, but perhaps not the life-altering journey some have made it out to be.
Taking Flight: The Essence of Airlines Europe
Airlines Europe places players in the heart of the nascent airline industry, where ambitious entrepreneurs are vying for dominance. We take on the role of investors, carefully selecting airlines to support, purchasing shares, and guiding their expansion across a map of Europe. The objective? To accumulate the most victory points by the end of the game, achieved through a combination of astute investments, route bonuses, and strategic maneuvering in the stock market.
Gameplay: A Familiar Route with a Turbulent Twist
If you’ve ever played Ticket to Ride, you’ll find yourself in familiar territory with Airlines Europe. The core mechanic revolves around claiming routes between cities, expanding your network, and scoring points based on the connections you forge. However, Airlines Europe introduces a unique twist—a stock market—that adds a layer of complexity and strategic depth. Players can buy and sell shares in different airlines, influencing their value and potentially earning dividends based on their performance.
The Stock Market: A Nice Layover, Not the Destination
While the stock market mechanic initially appears to be a game-changer, it doesn’t quite reach its full potential in Airlines Europe. The strategic depth it adds is somewhat limited, and the decisions surrounding buying and selling shares can sometimes feel convoluted. It’s a welcome addition to the classic route-building formula, but it doesn’t revolutionize the genre or create a truly innovative experience.
Components and Aesthetics: A Smooth Takeoff
Airlines Europe boasts a visually appealing design and high-quality components. The game board features a clear map of Europe, with various cities represented as destinations for your airline routes. The airplane tokens are colorful and well-crafted, and the share cards are easy to read and distinguish. The overall aesthetic is clean and functional, effectively capturing the theme of airline expansion.
Replayability: Turbulence Ahead?
While Airlines Europe offers some variability in the setup and the order of the scoring cards, replayability might be a concern for some players. The core mechanics remain relatively consistent from game to game, and the stock market, while adding some dynamism, doesn’t drastically alter the overall experience.
Comparisons: Ticket to Ride's Sophisticated Cousin
It’s inevitable to compare Airlines Europe to Ticket to Ride, given their shared focus on route building. Airlines Europe feels like a more complex and strategic cousin, with the stock market adding a layer of economic maneuvering. However, this added complexity comes at the cost of some elegance and simplicity. Ticket to Ride remains a more streamlined and accessible experience, while Airlines Europe caters to those seeking a slightly heavier and more strategic challenge.
A Deeper Dive into the Skies: A Closer Look at the Mechanics
Let’s take a closer look at the mechanics that make Airlines Europe tick:
Route Building: The heart of the game lies in building your airline’s network across Europe. Players take turns claiming routes between cities by paying the cost indicated on the game board. Each route claimed contributes to the airline’s network and potentially earns points at the end of the game.
Stock Market: The stock market adds a dynamic element to the game, allowing players to invest in different airlines by purchasing shares. The value of each airline’s shares fluctuates throughout the game based on the routes they claim and their overall performance. Players can earn dividends by playing shares from their hands, and the value of their shares contributes to their final score.
Scoring: The game is scored at three different points during play, triggered by drawing scoring cards from the share supply deck. During scoring, players earn victory points based on the size of their networks, the value of their shares, and any bonus points they’ve accumulated.
Player Interaction: While Airlines Europe is primarily a game of individual strategy, there is some player interaction. Players compete for limited routes, and the stock market creates a dynamic where players can influence the value of each other’s shares.
Final Thoughts: A Pleasant Flight, Not a Soaring Success
Airlines Europe is a decent game with an engaging theme and some interesting mechanics. It’s a worthwhile addition to any collection, especially for those who enjoy route-building games with a touch of economic strategy. However, it doesn’t quite live up to the hype generated by its out-of-print status and the enthusiastic praise it has received. It’s a good game, but it falls short of being truly exceptional.
