Game of the Week: 'Ticket to Ride - Europe'

We believe that few things are as enjoyable as sitting around the living room floor, playing a game with your family. Each week, in the Game of the Week column, GeekDad will suggest a fun, family-friendly game everyone can enjoy while spending time together. Here’s this week’s pick:

Ticket To Ride – Europe

Any game with little train pieces is sure to be a big family hit! In Ticket to Ride – Europe you are given a secret set of route cards that show you cities to connect on the map. Routes vary in victory point value based on their distance, and you are given a mix of shorter routes and one very long route to connect. Each turn you either draw colored train cards or turn in a set of cards that matches, in number and color, train boxcars on the map to connect two cities. Laying trains scores you points, as does completing one of your secret route cards. Connections between cities are limited, so timing when to start building along key routes is a tense part of the game. This is especially important as route cards you don’t connect count against your score at the end of the game. As a family game, Ticket to Ride – Europe is superior to the original as it includes stations that allow you to use other players’ routes. This prevents much of the frustration that could impact an otherwise fun family game night. All-aboard!