12 Best Route & Network Building Board Games Ranked
Ah, route and network building games – they’re not just about laying down tracks or carving routes through a bustling map; they’re about strategy, planning, and execution, which immerses us deeply every game night. When we gathered our selections for the The 12 best Route/Network Building board games, we looked for titles that offered compelling depth of play and strategic variability to ensure its replayability. From the shared intensity of resource management in ‘Power Grid’ to the easy-to-learn yet deeply tactical ‘Ticket to Ride’, each game on the list has been played and loved by us for its unique take on connecting the world, whether through railways, power grids, or sprawling trade routes!
Games on this list:
12 Power Grid
Our game nights often drive us towards economy-infused strategy games and Power Grid is a crowd-favorite. It ingeniously combines auction and resource management mechanics with route building as you spread your power grid across the map. There’s always a delightful tension as we jostle for resources and control of cities, balancing our budget with our expansion.
11 Ticket to Ride
It’s not just nostalgia talking when we say Ticket to Ride remains one of our ideal route building games for gateway gatherings. Connecting cities across America with colorful trains offers straightforward fun. We’ve lured many a friend into the board gaming world with this friendly yet competitive game.
10 Rails to Riches
When we’ve got the itch for some historical immersion, Rails to Riches serves as a trip to the past where railroading was the megacorporation of its time. We spend the game furiously building track, upgrading trains, and making or breaking alliances. It’s a thrilling ride every time.
9 Concordia
The ancient Roman setting of Concordia has us consistently enthralled as we expand our trade networks across the vast Mediterranean. Its elegant blend of card-and-route building not only provides depth but also an enjoyable puzzle of optimising our turn. Plus, the peaceful theme makes it a laid-back option for our competitive group.
8 Steam
For us, a night of gaming with Steam promises a tense but compelling foray into the world of railway tycoons. There’s a fantastic mix of route building and economic planning that scales well with different numbers of players, which is great since our group size tends to fluctuate.
7 Age of Steam
When we really want to get our competitive juices flowing, we break out Age of Steam. This is a tighter, more unforgiving cousin of Steam, that often stirs up the room with rivalry and tactical depth, especially with its bonus actions that offer various strategies to explore.
6 China Rails
Once in a while, we divert our tracks to Asia and delve into China Rails. Building a network across China has its own particular challenges and opportunities, and it strikes a fine balance between planning and luck with obstacles like the Himalayas and the Gobi desert.
5 Railways of the World
When Railways of the World hits the table, we know we’re in for a globe-trotting adventure of railway magnates. The game’s grandeur and scope are a hit, offering various maps and expansions that keep our experience fresh every play.
4 TransAmerica
When the pace needs to be quick and the gameplay light, we turn to TransAmerica. It’s deceptively simple yet strategic and hands down one of the smoothest route-building experiences to introduce to newbies during a casual game night.
3 Russian Railroads
Russian Railroads brings an interesting mechanical layer to our board game sessions, making competition fierce for advancing on multiple tracks. The decisions may be hard, but the satisfying blend of strategy with point-salad capabilities keeps it on our rotation.
2 Through the Desert
Eschewing trains for camels, Through the Desert appeals to us with its vivid components and light but captivating gameplay. Each game has us feeling like seasoned nomads, strategically sending our caravans through the sands to cut off rivals and secure watering holes.
1 Brass Lancashire
For us, the crown jewel of our decade-old board game trove is Brass Lancashire. Its position at the top isn’t just due to an enduring design, but how it creates a riveting narrative of industries rising and falling. Every decision carries weight in a mesmerizing mesh of route building and economic strategy, making it the prowling leader of our The 12 best Route/Network Building board games list.
