Driving as fast as you can in your big BMW? Not very sustainable, but for many wannabe racers in the Netherlands, that’s the dream. In the Netherlands, we have speed limits on highways that make many car junkies fall asleep behind the wheel. Fortunately, there is the Autobahn across the eastern border. The dream of every Dutch Audi, BMW, or Mercedes driver. On the way, stop by Rewe, Edeka, and Getränkewelt to stock up on cheap groceries and… drive away! In Autobahn, a board game that takes you on a journey through the construction of Germany’s most famous highways, is a real tank full of Euro-play fun. It combines strategy with a touch of traffic, and if you are a fan of board games and a well-paved road, then this game is definitely the exit you should take.
Background and Goal
In Autobahn, you as a player put your energy into developing the German highway network. The game covers the period of Germany’s reconstruction after World War II to modern German efficiency. Along your route to victory, new opportunities open up in the east: the wall falls and East Germany also appears on the route planner.
Players take on the role of an ambitious highway planner and build routes and roads, but also accessories along the highway, including essential gas stations and associated rest areas where truckers can buy a currywurst and a strong cup of coffee. In addition to building roads, you are also responsible for facilitating the transport of goods to neighboring countries and building gas stations to profit from this new traffic.
As you contribute to the development of the network, you gain seats on the board of each highway, and they will increase your budget at the beginning of each period. During the game, your board members will eventually grow into more prestigious seats within the Bundesautobahn building, which instead yield victory points at the end of the game.
But beware, poor planning can put you in a traffic jam! You earn points by improving routes, transporting goods, and managing infrastructure. The game is about making smart choices and anticipating the dynamic changes of the game board.
Gameplay
Each round brings new challenges: road expansions, processing goods flows, and maintaining German “ordnung” – because efficiency is king here. And don’t forget: the better you build your Autobahn network, the more your score meter accelerates and you drive to victory!
The game is played over several rounds in which players work on expanding, improving, and managing highways. With cards, players can perform actions on the various highways. Players must carefully plan how they spend their resources. For example, you need building blocks to lay roads, but you also need transport means to move goods through Germany. Transporting goods is an essential element in the game – you earn valuable points and make your network functional.
The dynamics of the game come to life with shifting goals and developments. Highways can be expanded, new junctions added, and rest areas built to increase transport efficiency. At the same time, you must consider the competition: other players are working on their own networks, so you must always stay sharp and adjust your strategy.
Additionally, Autobahn introduces a unique element of national and international trade. While you work on optimizing highways in Germany, you can also expand goods flows to nearby countries. This opens up new strategic possibilities and makes the game more challenging as competition increases.
Verdict
With its thematic and visual style, Autobahn feels like an ode to German precision. The rules are clear, like traffic signs along the road, and the mechanics run like a well-oiled engine. The only thing that can sometimes feel a bit stiff is the duration – the game can feel long, especially if the competition is heavy and strategic decisions get in the way. Like a long road trip on the German Autobahn.
