Bag-Building Meets Route-Building from the Designer of Clank! and Dune Imperium
A new train-themed strategy game is racing toward Gen Con, and it’s already looking like one of the hottest titles of the year.
From acclaimed designer Paul Dennen, the mind behind Clank!, Dune: Imperium, and Wild Tiled West, Lightning Train combines bag-building and route-building in a fresh take on train games. Published by Dire Wolf, the game blends resource optimization, area control, and delivery mechanics across a colorful map of North America.
Players build a custom bag of chips representing their railway company’s resources, then use those draws to open new train lines, deliver goods, and outmaneuver rivals. The twist? Lightning Trains — powerful mechanisms that can push you past the competition in a burst of speed and strategy.
Why I’m Excited
As a huge fan of bag-building games like The Quacks of Quedlinburg and Orléans, this shot to the top of my Gen Con wishlist as soon as it was announced. The idea of pairing chip draws with Ticket to Ride-style route building sounds like a dream combo. And with Paul Dennen at the helm, I’m expecting tight mechanics, exciting decisions, and smooth replayability.
When & Where to Find It
Dire Wolf will have a limited number of early copies available at Gen Con 2025, along with learn-to-play demos throughout the convention. A summer pre-order is expected, with a full retail release after Labor Day. If you’re attending Gen Con, make sure to add Lightning Train to your event wishlist.
Keep your eyes peeled during the Dice Tower’s Summer Spectacular — more coverage and gameplay previews are expected to drop soon.
Final Thoughts
Lightning Train looks like it could be one of this year’s big Gen Con breakouts. With a smart mix of familiar mechanics and new twists, I can’t wait to try it and (hopefully) bring a copy home. Stay tuned — I’ll be sharing impressions and thoughts as soon as I get my hands on it!
🛤️ Official Announcement from Dire Wolf
🧠 Lightning Train on BoardGameGeek
🎟️ My Gen Con Tips & Tricks for First-Timers
What about you? What Gen Con 2025 releases are on your wishlist? Drop a comment and let’s build some hype together!
Response
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Why only 4 players again. Bring it to 5 players like Orleans…
Played it? Loved it? Hated it? Let’s hear it!