Spirit Train is played in 3 Cycles. Each Cycle consists of a series of rounds where players will determine what to do using a unique simultaneous action selection mechanic. Before the start of each day, conductors will select between a list of different rooms to fill their train with. These rooms will provide base actions depending on the shape/size of the room. How many rooms you use will affect the speed and energy level of your train, as well as turn order. When spirits are active on your train, they will provide you even more actions. The number of active spirits you can select will depend on the current mood of your spirits (spirits are more active when they're happy!). You can maximize the number of actions you use by strategically placing active spirits into rooms you've created specifically for them on your train.
In summary; you will select your actions for the day based on how you build your train, which spirits are currently active on the train, and where, on your train, you place your active spirits.
After conductors reveal their trains, they will go through the 5 phases of each day.
During the first phase, players simultaneously collect tickets and memory shards, as well as adjust spirit moods as needed.
In the movement phase, conductors take turns moving their train through different regions such as forests, meadows, cities, the sea, and mountains. They might pick up spirits waiting at train stops, or challenge other conductors to a train prank-war!
In the third phase, players take turns interacting with the spirits on their train, keeping them happy and cozy.
During the fourth phase, conductors may fuse together memory shards, spending them to awaken a spirit's core memory. They then place a Memora block on the spirit's card to enhance and expand the actions available to it. The Spirit Train will gain different amounts of energy depending on what kind of memory (Memora block) was unlocked.
In the last phase of each day, players spend tickets to house spirits from their hand, or drop spirits off from their train, helping them cross over to the true afterlife. Spirits are most comfortable crossing over in a region they are most familiar with, whether that be the forest, the mountains, etc. so be aware of where your train is currently running through.
A new Cycle begins once a conductor reaches the train station at the end of the map. Players will gain rewards based on how far they are on the map at that time, then reset to the top to start a new Cycle. Conductors can choose how fast or slow they want to move through the regions depending on which strategies they want to pursue.
At the end of each Cycle, Death will appear in one of its many forms to lure a spirit away from your train. Conductors must work together to send Death away, or collectively suffer the consequences.
The ultimate goal of Spirit Train is to gain points by accomplishing 3 main objectives; interacting with the spirits on your train, helping those spirits cross over, and collecting spirit stones.
The amount of points you gain per objective will depend on the mood of your spirits at the end of the game. If they are generally sad, you'll earn less points than if you work to keep them happy and comfortable.
The player with the most points earns the honor of taking over as the new, true conductor of the Spirit Train.
—description from the publisher
Fantasy, Trains · Action Queue, Pattern Building, Worker Placement
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