Robert Austin 'Raccoon Tycoon' Preview
In March of 2018, Forbidden Games announced their arrival onto the board game scene. Created by Jason Kapalka, co-founder and chief game designer for Pop Cap (Peggle, Bejeweled, Plants vs. Zombies) and Glenn Drover, founder of Eagle Games and designer of the tabletop versions of Railroad Tycoon and Age of Empires III, they sought to produce board games that sported both accessible, casual playability and deep, strategic gameplay. Their aim was to appeal to all varieties and levels of players.
As of April, their second game, Railroad Rivals, was successfully funded on Kickstarter and is set to have an August 2018 delivery date to its backers. This will add to their game lineup, headed by Victory & Glory: Napoleon. Not content to stop there, Forbidden Games is about to launch their second Kickstarter campaign, and Dice at Dusk is here to tell you all about it!
As of April, their second game, Railroad Rivals, was successfully funded on Kickstarter and is set to have an August 2018 delivery date to its backers. This will add to their game lineup, headed by Victory & Glory: Napoleon. Not content to stop there, Forbidden Games is about to launch their second Kickstarter campaign, and Dice at Dusk is here to tell you all about it!
Raccoon Tycoon is a game where 2-5 players take on the roles of dapper, Victorian-esque animals who are all vying to be the ‘Top Dog’ of Astoria. To get there, they must anticipate and manipulate an everchanging game marketplace. In addition, Tycoons must use money gained to buy assets, granting advantages and steps toward victory.
On their turns, players will produce commodities and increase the market prices, or can sell those commodities for profit and reduce market value. A player may auction off an available railroad. Lastly, one can purchase buildings that offer bonuses, or purchase an available town with their stock of commodities. When either the last town is purchased or the last railroad is auctioned off, the round finishes and players score victory points. Buildings, towns and railroads all gain a player victory points. The Tycoon with the most VP is the ‘Top Dog’ of Astoria!
On their turns, players will produce commodities and increase the market prices, or can sell those commodities for profit and reduce market value. A player may auction off an available railroad. Lastly, one can purchase buildings that offer bonuses, or purchase an available town with their stock of commodities. When either the last town is purchased or the last railroad is auctioned off, the round finishes and players score victory points. Buildings, towns and railroads all gain a player victory points. The Tycoon with the most VP is the ‘Top Dog’ of Astoria!
Raccoon Tycoon plays in approximately 90 minutes and is of light/medium complexity. It boasts fun, fast gameplay that everyone will find enjoyable. Mechanics and play are based on many of your favorite economic games but with a quicker play style. Fans of games such as Catan, Harbour and Machi Koro will definitely want to check this game out. The artwork is done by artist Annie Stegg Gerard and it is wonderfully fantastic.
The Kickstarter is set to go live on June 19th and Dice at Dusk waits in anticipation, with top hats and monocles at the ready! In the meantime, check out Forbidden Games and be sure to follow them for more updates.
Robert Austin - Husband. Gamer. Musician and music lover. Car enthusiast. Spider collector.