Automobiles

5.5/10

I'm amazed by the amount of promise Automobiles threatens with it's culmination of mechanics, yet somehow none of that potential amounts to anything. Automobiles tends to favour strategic Euro mechanics. This blend of mechanics provides less depth and interaction than expected when compared to sister games that employ similar mechanics (Orleans, Dice Masters, Trains).

An example of squandered potential is the illusion of choice when saving particular cubes for purchase power, and which to use for track movement. Firstly, skipping movement to purchase powers, actively rubs against this game's NASCAR racing theme. Secondly, the difficulty of those decisions feel like they should be bitting. Instead the choice is often obvious amongst a small pool of clearly sub optimal moves.

The luck swings are FAR too prevalent in this game. In multiple instances throughout the game, drawing one particular cube can be the difference between not moving AT ALL, or finishing three quarters of a lap. I've also run into scenarios where pulling a cube at the right time was the difference between removing over 15 waste cubes or putting them all back into my bag. Beyond Automobile's other issues, luck this foundational and of this intensity is an AUTOMATIC deal breaker for me!