Matthew BaileyJack(7) and I had some alone time today so decided to play a “roll and write”. I am a big fan of the genre as is Jack but because Toby(4) still struggles to use a pencil they are difficult to do with him. Therefore game 26 of the “Bailey Family Sorta Summer Board Game Bonanza” is “Next Station London”
“Next Station London” is an interesting “roll and write” where you are essentially creating your version of the London Underground Tube Map.
You start the game with a coloured pencil. That colour represents the line you are drawing (I would 100% recommend using matching coloured felt tips rather than the included pencils as they are those “Poundland pencils” where you have to carve the colour into the paper).
You then take turns drawing cards and have to connect either end of your tube map to a corresponding shape on the map. You keep going until you have exhausted all of the cards (there are a few other special rules) and then you repeat for each of the 4 colours.
The reason why this colour system is genius is it eliminates the ability to copy other players as you are starting at different places.
The map is split into zones and at the end of the game, you score each line based on the number of zones it is in multiplied by the number of stations in its busiest single zone. This is really clever as those 2 things are essentially at odds with each other so you really have to think about the best way to maximise points. You also get 2 points every time you cross the Thames just for giggles and points for multiple routes into one station. Add it all up highest score wins.
Apart from the crappy pencils (id recommend the mini felt tip set from Paperchase) everything about it oozes quality. The box is lovely and the sheets are nice (I think there are 100 sheets but nothing a laminator can’t fix).
In case you haven’t guessed I really like “Next Station London” as does Jack. This is definitely not a game for young kids but those of school age should be fine. I would say I love “roll and writes” so am a little biased.
Its also pretty cheap usually coming in around the £12/13ish pound mark
Most of the games I have played are often close as well as you can see in this game I beat Jack 110 to 109.
If you are interested to try it out it is one of the games available on Board Game Arena (I will do a post on Board Game Arena at some point but it’s basically an online platform to play board games) and also has a tutorial.
