Demanding and tense are words that come to mind about this game. Also the words studious, stimulating and likable come to mind. I heartily recommend this game to all.
As with most of Lama’s games, Borogravia is plainly presented yet it is no picnic to win. And very calculated; almost like playing chess. Lama cleverly uses terrain, strategically placed raw resources and widely spaced cities to create a very challenging game. Adding to the challenge, Lama set the initial productivity at 50% and industry cost at 120%, allowing them to normalize according to haulage quotas. This forces the player to make tough, make-or-break decisions about industry vs rails for much of the game.
He craftily provides a selection (random) of a ‘manager’ which cause the player to think out a strategy for best use of a manager. Knowing your company’s overhead costs is essential when selecting a manager each year.
I managed to achieve Gold with about 3 years to spare. I will divulge that it was steel plants with T&Ds, started in about year 15, which started the big cash flow. I began with a network of track to all four portal cities (based on cargo flow) before moving inland. I also ran most trains with zero minimum cars, replacing them at 15 years. Early industry HAS to turn a profit immediately because their returns are pitiful. I suggest holding back on tunnels until late in the game. Many can wait until the final connections. $3M to $5M tunnels add tremendous maintenance & overhead costs to a company. (Lama wisely made the mountains so steep & high it is almost as costly to build rail over them as to tunnel through them.)
I can see why some count this game as one of their favorites.
