Ticket to Ride Board Game

This is one of the simplest games available and so is a perfect 'gateway' game. With three possible actions on a turn - building a route, collecting cards or collecting more objectives - and each one fairly simple to do, the game keeps moving at a swift pace.

I was worried at first that the game would lack any meaningful interaction. Whilst there's not as much as in, say, Settlers of Catan, this never became a problem. Simply watching the tracks build up around the board is fun in itself and you do need to keep an eye on other players - or risk being caught out by the end of the game and failing to lay the tracks you needed because you didn't hurry enough.

The game is relatively simple and I don't imagine myself discovering new tactics or strategies with the gleeful surprise I do in many more complex things.

For a simple game that doesn't involve much stress, though, this is near the top of my list.

I played this game for the first time a few weeks ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is very easy to understand with few rules and simple gameplay.

It is fun to play, and pretty quick, although not as fast as the game claimed - two of the three playing were new to the game though so that may have slowed things down a little.

I was surprised that it was also exciting at times, particularly towards the end of the game where you have one or two crucial make-or-break links left to get to complete a vital route.

There does seem to be a certain element of luck in the game: getting routes to build that share large sections in common, and so being able to score points multiple times for the same piece of track is so powerful that it's hard to beat. Certain parts of the map were also always more contended than others, and those who had played before knew where they were and could take those sections immediately.

Looking forward to trying some of the others in the series.

Many long-time gamers feel that Ticket to Ride is too simple and shallow - and I partly agree, it is simple. But that is it's charm. It honestly takes 5 minutes to teach a new player the rules, and from there you can have hours of fun. It's not a strategic think-fest, rather it's what gamers like to call a "gateway" game - something to grab new players who aren't (yet) gamers.

The gameplay is elegant and fast, while still generating tension and suspense in the mid- and end-game. A single game lasts from 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the number of players (allow ten more minutes or so for inexperienced players). The board itself is beautifully made, the pieces feel good to the touch and the only quibble is that in the original Ticket to Ride, USA, the playing cards are a bit too small. You can fix that by buying the expansion pack, which adds a bit of scope to the game, but retains its elegance and simplicity.

All in all, this is a great game for families and friends, especially groups with casual gamers mixed in. It's sort of like a board-game equivalent of rummy or uno, a simple card game that can serve as a warm-up to something more involved, or the main dish for a relaxing evening.

Ticket to ride is up there as one of my most favourite addictions :D

As a simple strategy game that has just the right balance of competition, skill and luck, Ticket to Ride ticks all of my boxes. Even my four year old son has mastered the basics.

The European version is my favourite board version, but for the more ticket intensive versions (such as the Switzerland version) I prefer playing online at http://www.daysofwonder.com/en/

***For Ticket to Ride Geeks ONLY***
Check out the exciting international tournament currently in full swing, because in the UK there are 4 remaining heats to take place in Reading, Exeter, York and Edinburgh. http://www.daysofwonder.com/en/championship/detail/?id=44

I’m be trying my luck at Eclectic Games in Reading on 23rd January – See you there or online!
Hannah (aka BlueKiteCoach)

I was introduced to this game through the European version first, and was then given the original as a gift. I actually prefer the original version - not having added some of the complexity contained in the Europe game means you can really get to grips with the gameplay and tactics.
It is simple to grasp - I just played with a 9 year old - and yet addictive! You can make real enemies by taking that route that someone else desperately wanted and the lengths some people will go to trying to get that longest train sometimes is amazing!
A great family game which is never the same twice - a firm favourite here! Everyone we have ever played it with has enjoyed it, and some are asking to play it every time they visit, many having bought their own copies.
One thing I would say though - the game is improved by the addition of the 1910 expansion pack. We enjoy it even more since getting that, it adds more routes and bigger cards - the downside of this version of this game is the tiny cards. The expansion pack is reasonably priced and fixes this, while also adding a couple of simple optional extras to the gameplay.