1888 is an 18xx game. Players operate their railroads in Jefferson and New Suffolk, two fictional states within the United States. “Event Cards” are a nice way to add historical flavor to a game, but a deck of random events being flipped over each round is not what we’re after. The train deck is stacked with event cards that are intended to entice players into changing their train buying habits. Additional “McGuffins” include two-sided train cards with a more powerful train on the reverse, and unconventionally, priority deal established at the beginning of each stock round. You’ll need familiarity with, or a copy of, the rules to 1830 to play the game.