Pan Am
Designers⚙️: Prospero Hall
Artists🎨: Prospero Hall
[ @prospero_hall ] 2-4 players
I'll admit, when I passed by this game on the shelf at the game store it was not one that caught my attention. A plane game? Okay, that's fine. Nothing against it. Was I missing out by never picking it up? Oh, boy was I ever!
After 3 years since its release I had seen this pop up here and there. It wasn't until the other day that it peaked my interest. Hearing things such as "Sleeper hit of 2020" and "My top game of the year!" I saw it was only $20 and was actually gifted it by my parents for my birthday after they had asked for ideas on what I'd like.
And I was beyond excited to try after all the buzz I'd been reading! It did not disappoint. It's so smooth, has just enough thinky-ness, and is absolutely gorgeous on the table. ✈️✨
The bidding system, simple worker placement, and route claiming all while trying to buy stocks and be the company that gets bought most by Pan Am as it expands is tense and engaging. Balancing getting stocks (which the most are needed to win) and having enough money to do things is so satisfying to say the least.
Playing this reminded me of when I first got into the hobby. That joy of experiencing what games could be besides the generic ones I'd played growing up. Not only does it look nostalgic, it feels like something I've known for a long while. Comforting even. I don't know exactly how or why this does what it does so well, but I'm glad its crossed my path. I look forward to many more games of this inviting and charming surprise of a game.
