Transpercerneige (snowpiercer)

Description

Transperceneige, the game is an asymmetrical semi-cooperative game for 3 to 5 players based on the French comic book by Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette, published by Casterman. Following a climatic catastrophe, the Earth has been plunged into a new ice age, removing all life from the planet. Only one group of humans has managed to board the Transperceneige, a train that runs around the planet forever, keeping them alive. The players, in command of the different groups of passengers, will have to make choices and collaborate with each other (or not!) to take control of the Transperceneige. But they still have to survive the trip...

To gain influence, you must satisfy your passengers, prepare revolts and achieve secret objectives. However, selfish choices will jeopardize the survival of the whole train, leading to defeat. Can you make the right decisions?

Action planning, cooperation, resource management and bluffing will be your best assets on board the train of a thousand and one cars. Welcome to the Transperceneige!

A. Setting
After a climatic cataclysm, the survivors of the human species embark on a train with a thousand and one cars that runs forever. Prisoners of this machine, it is however their only hope of survival. The mechanisms that make the train move also allow, thanks to the movements, to operate the survival facilities for its passengers. Very hierarchical, the "Golden Cars" at the head of the train house the aristocracy, the richest passengers who live with all the comfort that these cars can offer. They are also responsible for the path to follow, as they direct the train not only from the inside, but especially towards the outside. Then there are the cars that specialize in recovery, recycling, food, but also military cars that help maintain order. Finally, the last wagons are simple warehouses fitted out as bunks for the poorest class. They are in charge of feeding the engine ovens and thus ensuring the survival of the passengers.

B. How to play
Each player controls a class made up of the passengers of the train. Each class is different and corresponds to a specific hierarchy and function in the train (high, medium, low class). Players will have to manage cars using a deck of cards unique to each player, representing the possible actions to be performed during the game turn. Players will have to cooperate (or not!) to survive together to one of 5 possible endgames: 4 defeat scenarios, one victory scenario.

In addition to cooperating to survive to the end of the game, players will have to achieve objectives to gain influence within the train. The best way to do this is to access the leadership and direct the train. However, you'll have to be on your guard, because the players of the lower classes will have the possibility to rebel and take the lead position to, in turn, lead the train and satisfy their passengers!

C. How to win
The end of the game can be triggered at any time, by a victory or a defeat.

Victory
When the train reaches its destination, symbolized by a "Sun" marker on the central board, the game ends immediately. The temperature rises and humanity can finally be reborn!
The player who was the most clever, and therefore with the most influence points at the end of the game, will take control of the Transperceneige!

Defeat
When one of the conditions listed below is met, the game ends immediately. The last hope of humanity has been extinguished.

• The train does not go in the right direction (the "Death" marker is reached on the central board)
• There are no more Event cards to draw
• A player loses all his passengers

D. Game Turns

A game is played in several rounds (15 maximum). A game turn consists of 6 stages:

• Phase 1 - Event: Draw a card from the current Event deck (Phase I, II or III).
• Phase 2 - Prepare: Plan your actions, exchange resources or services with other players, negotiate...
• Phase 3 - Work: Play all planned Action cards in order of initiative.
• Phase 4 - Advance: Draw a number of Railroad cards defined by the speed of the train.
• Phase 5 - Rest: Passengers at work must eat and endure the cold, those at rest may repopulate.