Shikoku 1889: Core Game (Kickstarter Special) Grand Trunk Games

Board Game Geek Rating: 6.34
Board Game Geek Avg Player Rating: 8.06
Players: 2 to 6
Published: 2022
Content Notes: Kickstarter Edition of Shikoku: 1889 Board Game by Grand Trunk Games. Includes core board game and all unlocked stretch goals. Please note: unless otherwise stated paid add ons from the Kickstarter Campaign are not included.

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.

Japan’s period of sakoku (鎖国, “locked country”) has ended. The Meiji Restoration is underway and an explosion of technology has overtaken the country, with the locomotive as the leading symbol of modernization. The island of Shikoku is no exception as railway operations emerge around the island and entrepreneurs attempt to make their fortune. 

In Shikoku 1889, you play the role of these entrepreneurs, starting and operating railways corporations to build Shikoku’s railway network with the hopes that you will have amassed more wealth than any of your competitors by the end of the railway revolution.

Shikoku 1889 is a re-release of the classic 18xx title “1889: History of Shikoku Railways”. For nearly 2 decades, 1889 has been considered to be the best introduction to the 18xx genre for its short playtime and simplicity to teach. Even though Shikoku 1889 is simple enough to be your first 18xx experience, it has an incredible depth that will take many plays to unpack. 

•  A new name: While this game has had the title “1889: History of Shikoku Railways” for many years, I made the decision to change the name to “Shikoku 1889”. 
•  New graphic design and illustration: We spent nearly a year to bring you the most aesthetically pleasing and functional 18xx presentation to date. 
•  Full rulebook rewrite: This rulebook comes packed with written and visual examples, a game overview section, and clearly written rules. This rulebook was written to be the best way for any new player to learn 18xx. 
•  High-quality components: 1889 for many years has only been available as a hand-made game. This will be the first mass-produced edition and will be made by manufacturers who are industry leaders for component quality.

Prints for Erik Frobom’s “Rusted Blossoms” will be available for purchase as an add-on in the pledge manager. Add-on price TBD.

18xx is a game system that you may have heard of but may have not yet tried due to its reputation for being long and complex.

Many 18xx games however, are actually fairly straightforward, take 3-4 hours to play, and are absolutely fantastic gaming experiences. You play the role of an investor who starts, operates, and purchases shares of railroad companies. The railroad companies build their networks across the map and purchase trains that will be used to generate revenue and pay dividends to the companies’ investors. Company values are tracked on a stock market, which players will use when making their investment decisions. At the end of the game, a player’s score is determined by the value of the shares and cash in their hands.

What makes 18xx games so compelling to play is how players are able to affect the game and each other with seemingly insignificant decisions. Since games typically have perfect information, the outcome of the game is completely driven by the actions of the players.

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 shareholder. 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 being published by Grand Trunk Games.

–from the publisher

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