When I was growing up in Germany I remembered the wonderful board games they used to produce there (One that always sticks out in my mind is Scotland Yard by Ravensburger). The components were always wonderful, the boards colorful, and game mechanics always unique- at least when compared to American games.
(This is not a knock on American Board games. Monopoly, Clue, and Uno are still all time favorites of mine, and I plan to try out the new Marvel Heroes Board Game, and others such as Descent: Journeys in the Dark- both by Fantasy Flight).
What got me back into these games was a podcast called “The DiceTower“. In it they talk about board games- all board games in general. Another ‘cast- a video podacst called “Board Games With Scott” sold me trying to try out some of these newer games that were being produced by Europe and here in the States.
I sought out Ticket To Ride as my first foray back into board games. The reason why I chose this game was because it seemed easy to pick up, it had a lot of colorful components, and the playing time was perfect for a short game.
How right I was! The game is fairly simple, but has a lot of strategy involved. I can see it as more of a card game that requires a board, but its fun laying out your trains to connect routes. My only concern is that the pieces are small and you can easily lose an entire game if you have cats or kids about. But as what they call a “gateway game” (games used to introduce new players to the hobby of board games) I’m pretty much sold. I hope to use this at my next family gathering.
…thus beings another hobby of mine. I won’t be making as much time for this one as my other ones, but I look forward to this one, and breaking out one of my older board games to try out on an unsuspecting crowd.
