Railroad Tiles
Railroad Tiles at your next game night?
Add Railroad Tiles to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Hjalmar Hach , Lorenzo Silva
- Publisher Horrible Guild , Albi , Cranio Creations , GaGa Games , Game Harbor
- Illustration Francesco De Benedittis , Marta Tranquilli
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
Over eight rounds you draft tiles from a common pool and place routes to create a compact transport network. You also place small pieces like cars, trains or travelers on free spaces to score more points. Actions available change each round, so planning and adaptability matter. Points come from connected chains, adjacent city sets and filling large gap-free rectangles at game end.
Who Is This Game For?
Suitable for experienced family players and hobbyists: with a playtime of about 45 minutes and age 8+, it’s accessible but requires tactical foresight in tile placement and drafting. Solo play is supported. If you want short, strategic puzzles rather than long engine-building, this fits well.
How It Works
Each round players draft tiles (Turn Order: Claim Action) and place them on their personal area (Tile Placement, Map Addition). You aim to create Connections and Pattern Building for higher scores. Depending on the round you may place cars, trains or travelers on empty tile spaces to gain points. End-game scoring rewards connected networks, sets of three adjacent city tiles and large continuous rectangles without gaps.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Hjalmar Hach and Lorenzo Silva, Railroad Tiles is a follow-up within the Railroad Ink family, shifting from roll-and-write to tile placement and drafting mechanics. In 2025 it was nominated for the Golden Geek Light Game of the Year.
Awards
2025
Pro
- Short playtime (~45 minutes) — good for quick sessions
- Drafting combined with tile placement creates meaningful choices
- Changing actions each round boost replayability
- Includes solo play (1 player)
Contra
- Requires tactical planning; newcomers may need a learning round
- Not aimed at players who prefer long, deeply complex games
Setting & atmosphere
You build a small transportation network of rails, roads and cities; the theme (Trains/Transportation) frames the placement puzzles rather than complex simulation.
Tips for beginners
Focus on creating stable connections and avoid situations that restrict future placements; adapt plans as available actions change each round.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
Yes. The game supports 1 player.
How long does a game really take?
Playtime is about 45 minutes; include extra time for setup and the first explanation.
What prior experience do I need?
Basic familiarity with drafting and tile placement helps; it sits between family and hobby-level complexity.
How does this compare to similar games?
As part of the Railroad Ink family it emphasizes tile placement, connections and drafting rather than pure roll-and-write mechanics.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes — with a minimum age of 8, families with slightly experienced children can enjoy it.
What mechanic makes it special?
The mix of Drafting (Turn Order: Claim Action), Tile Placement and Connections/Pattern Building defines the experience.
Fazit
A concise, decision-dense tile-placement game for 1–4 players that rewards planning over eight rounds. Recommended if you enjoy drafting and connection puzzles; less suited for fans of long engine-builder titles.
Railroad Tiles at your next game night?
Add Railroad Tiles to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Railroad Tiles to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
