Overview
At a glance
Is this game right for my group?
ABG editorial scores on a 1–5 scale.
Harder to teach
High replayability
Highly interactive
Scales well
Deep strategy
How it plays
How does it play?
This MB game comes with a plastic "board". Its size is dictated by the three randomizing discs embedded in its base, which are used to generate a new playing area every time (there are 1,728 (12^3) different setups possible).
Core mechanisms
Key systems that shape the decisions players make.
Area Majority
Compete to have the strongest presence in areas that award control or points.
Events
Triggered events alter the shared state, rules, or available choices.
Player Elimination
Players can be removed from contention before the game ends.
Take That
Direct negative effects at selected opponents.
Sudden Death Ending
End the game when a specific timing or state condition is reached.
Read the full game description
This MB game comes with a plastic "board". Its size is dictated by the three randomizing discs embedded in its base, which are used to generate a new playing area every time (there are 1,728 (12^3) different setups possible). You buy properties, drill for oil, link properties with pipelines so as to collect royalties and try to be the richest player. Event cards complicate matters. Drilling is resolved with a little rig whose plunger is pushed up if it doesn't go through the hidden disc; if it pushes through all three, the well is dry. Deeper holes cost more, of course. Pipelines can be bought once you have 4 producing oil wells on a property; they reach across that property's boundary to another player's property, and are used to siphon royalties from him every turn. This is a clever mechanic that accelerates bankruptcy and keeps total playing time within reasonable limits. Once all players but one are pushed into bankruptcy, the remaining one is the winner.