Picture this; there is a new hit game show, a game show about racing to earn as much money as possible. This game show is one that’s very Japanese, with two hosts, one flashy and one young and cute. Billion Road is a representation of what that would be like, and it’s over the top nature is just what I need in this weird time. Billion Road is a game akin to Monopoly in that it is a tycoon game, but that is where the similarities end. Players will run around Japan buying and selling properties, waiting until March to make their gains. Players will see how much the property costs and how much of a percentage they receive in return. It is interesting seeing the world of Japan like this and seeing how different it is from America.
For example, the first properties in every district will be Ten Thousand Yen but will offer back 100% of the profits. The other businesses will ask for more money but will often give back very little. It’s necessary to take stock of things and buy with victory in mind. Players could do well by just purchasing the smaller properties and locking their money back in for March. Players can play in a few different ways. There is a tournament mode where players play through thirty years of the game. Now this will take a while, but if the players are having fun, it’s okay. Even the skirmish mode that is thirty-six months in-game managed to take just my sister and me about an hour and a half.
Players will also need to buy items to move up in the world. These items don’t always help, but having one in the player’s back pocket is a good idea. Using them in tandem with the other allies will benefit the player. These items can do several things and can change the game. Plus items can help monsters that the player will also earn through the course of the game. This game’s most interesting idea is the monsters. These monsters will consistently join the player when they pass over them. The monsters range from cute to weird, but they can all change the game drastically. Some lessen the loss of money or grant the player more money. They also have their stats as they fight in battles.
Players will sometimes have to face huge monsters or Kaiju attacking the city. Players can send in their best monster to take on the wicked beasts. The player to defeat it will get a bonus too. Players will take turns spinning a wheel, and beating it. Players must choose the right monster and take down the villain before it destroys Japan. Once the first player arrives at the goal, things start to change. The player who reaches the goal first will be gifted a powerful good ally while another player will end up with an evil monster. The good ally will grant their partner with a monster egg every turn if they have inventory space. Monster eggs gift the player with a new monster, which can assist them. These eggs are helpful though it does tend to lock the person in First place. These monsters will jump between players, so pass each other, and try to reap the rewards. The wicked monsters are the worst and can wreck any player’s chance of winning. These monsters might help keep the first player in first but can destroy any hope for anyone to hold onto them. The player can be purified, so work to find a purifying monster.
This game is one that players can play solo though playing with friends is more fun. Players can jump into this game, knowing absolutely nothing about it and still have a good time. This game is an unsung hero, as it’s likely, not many people at least in the West will play it. It’s wacky and weird and deserves to be played, at least in my opinion. Billion Road is at its core a fun television show of a game. Players will have fun taking on the computer players or their friends. The game can take as long as the players want, which is a good thing. Billion Road is a solid party game and one that I know I will revisit in the future. The cameras are rolling, the audience is waiting, who will be the first to earn One Billion on this road?
Disclaimer: A review key was provided