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?
1889, an 18xx game in the series originated by Francis Tresham's 1829, is set in Shikoku Japan. The rules are similar to 1830: Railways & Robber Barons on a smaller and terrain-heavy map.
Core mechanisms
Key systems that shape the decisions players make.
Auction/Bidding
Bid against other players to determine who receives an item, action, or priority.
Market
Buy and sell through a shared supply whose availability or prices can change.
Network and Route Building
Create connected routes that improve reach, delivery, control, or scoring.
Ownership
Claim assets or areas that remain under a player’s control.
Hexagon Grid
Use a hexagonal map where each space connects evenly in six directions.
Read the full game description
1889, an 18xx game in the series originated by Francis Tresham's 1829, is set in Shikoku Japan. The rules are similar to 1830: Railways & Robber Barons on a smaller and terrain-heavy map. In 1889, 2-6 players will use money to purchase shares in railroad companies during Share Dealing Rounds. Between subsequent Share Dealing Rounds, railroad corporations then conduct operations on the game board, with the decisions being made by the player who is the major share holder. The game simulates the progression of railroad development during an historic period on Shikoku. Old trains become obsolete while the revenue earnings from cities grows over time. Players will try to purchase the most profitable shares at the right times of the game to maximize earnings in dividends and stock value gains. In the end, the player with the highest value of personal cash and held stocks is the winner. The game was originally available in kit form from Wild Heaven, and is now also being published by Grand Trunk Games.