1830: Railroads & Robber Barons
DOS - 1995
Description of 1830: Railroads & Robber Barons
Undeniably SimTex' most underrated game, 1830 is a complex and faithful PC conversion of Avalon Hill's popular boardgame.
As with SimTex' other games, strong computer AI keeps the gameplay fresh and interesting even in the beer-and-pretzel design (a normal game here lasts 8-10 hours). In addition to conventional decisions found in other railroad-building games, e.g. laying tracks, 1830 features a unique and challenging stock market model that truly is the best I have seen in games of this type (and, being a Finance person with a passion for business sims, I've seen quite a lot). Before the "Operation Round" can begin, you must first decide on which stocks to buy and what companies to float in the "Stock Round," using a very clever stock bidding interface.
The game isn't all about planning routes, either: as opposed to most railroad games in which the focus is on matching supply and demand (e.g. Sid Meier's classic Railroad Tycoon), the focus in 1830 is clearly on a more macro-level decision making. Instead of worrying about what types of goods to carry and how soon to replace obsolete trains, here your concerns are about cutthroat competition, hostile takeovers, and being ousted from the CEO chair.
As can be expected from the designer of Master of Orion, the AI in this game is top-notch, and accurately reflects history: fearsome speculator James Fisk will concentrate on buying up stocks of other companies and taking them over, while famous engineer Westinghouse will concentrate on the operations of his company and laying the most efficient routes.
In the end, whether or not you'll like 1830 depends on your preferences. If you are a fan of miniature railroads who likes to watch the trains go buy your designed route, 1830 isn't a game for you. On the other hand, if you are a business sim buff like me who loves managing the company and keeping an eye on the Treasury Stock as much as doing the job, 1830 is simply a must-have.
Two thumbs up!
Review By HOTUD
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How to play 1830: Railroads & Robber Barons
Enter any word when the protection appears
Captures and Snapshots
Comments and reviews
Viking's Son 2024-12-12 1 point
I have had this game on my PC'S for many years since buying it as a DOS ver.5 last century! It has an interesting history starting out as a board game "1829". My group now play it as a board game in one of its many variations that are now available.
Dutchgamer 2024-11-11 0 point
Fully playable with dosbox and manual open in background for copy codes. Just could not understand the gameplay...
GameBoy 2024-08-02 0 point
After changing DosBox-X graphic setting from Direct3D to OpenGL this game is running without issues.
tjonmaxx 2020-07-25 -5 points
Love this game works great! I just hit enter for the copy protection screens and it works.
notawinner 2020-04-01 -3 points
Dont waste your time. This does NOT work. The copy protection pops up and it doesnt matter if you answer correctly, the protection will just pop-up again. Cannot play.
kennkool 2018-01-01 0 point
greatest game when it first came out. if they can upgrade computers , then why not give the games a facelift.
Westinghouse 2014-08-31 0 point DOS version
This game is awesome. Gotta play the stocks if you want to win. Buy low sell high
NoobishWobbishMan 2014-05-06 1 point DOS version
Well, having downloaded some games I unzipped em into folders on my HDD, then installed Dosbox, then installed Dfend. and none of it works for me? *sigh*
I mean that Dfend cant see any of the games I have downloaded.
admin 2013-06-17 1 point DOS version
Right, game is cracked now, enter any word when the protection appears
Amon 2012-07-11 1 point DOS version
Choo choo, motherfucker. If you like trains and Monopoly, this is the game for you. 10/10
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DOS Version
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