Bus

Before Essen 1999, a group of students founded Splotter Spellen to sell their own game designs. This game is a standout from that group. The goal is to transport as many people to their destinations as possible. Players place route markers on the board to link passengers with their destinations. The destination types like work, bar, and home change each turn, adding an element of unpredictability as you follow passengers through their daily routines. Players start with one bus and can buy more. They can build on their bus routes, bring new passengers to the city via trains, expand the city by adding buildings, and operate their buses. There's also an option related to the clock, which we'll cover later. The action board has a smart feature: for actions like route expansion and building, the first player to choose an action executes it last, leading to exciting strategic plays and tough decisions. Buying more buses allows players to carry one extra passenger per run, potentially scoring one more point. But finding lots of passengers on the street can be challenging depending on how the city develops. Bus routes start from a Settlers - style initial placement and can be extended at either end. Routes usually can't run parallel unless blocked at both ends, which is rare. So, having one end blocked can be a problem. All new passengers arrive at one of two train stations, which is important when planning routes. You also need to ensure a good mix of building types along the route. When building, you can spoil other players' routes by placing a mix of buildings at intersections. And when carrying passengers, try to set up to carry the same ones in the next turn.

To play this bus game, first, each player starts with one bus. Your main goal is to get as many passengers to their destinations as you can. Place route markers on the board to connect passengers to their destinations. Remember, the destination types change every turn, so stay flexible. You can buy more buses to carry more passengers and score more points. Also, you can build on your bus routes, bring in new passengers via trains, and expand the city by adding buildings. Be careful when choosing actions on the action board, as the first - chooser for some actions goes last. When planning your bus routes, keep in mind that new passengers arrive at the train stations. Try to have a good mix of building types along your routes. You can also try to mess up other players' routes by placing the right buildings at intersections. When carrying passengers, plan ahead to carry the same ones in the next turn. There's no special maintenance for this game, just keep the pieces in a safe place and enjoy playing with friends and family.