Ticket to Ride: Europe

Ticket to Ride: Europe is a fantastic board game that takes the classic Ticket to Ride experience and elevates it to a whole new level. While the core gameplay remains the same - collect train cards, build routes, and complete destination tickets - the addition of new elements like tunnels, ferries, and train stations adds a welcome layer of complexity and strategy.

The European map itself is beautiful and engaging, with a vibrant depiction of the continent's iconic cities. I found the use of historical city names, like Moskva instead of Moscow, to be a nice touch and a fun way to learn a bit about European geography. However, it did take a little getting used to, especially for those unfamiliar with European history.

One of the things I particularly enjoyed was the larger format cards, which are a huge improvement over the smaller cards in the original Ticket to Ride. This makes shuffling and handling the cards much easier, especially for larger groups. I also appreciated the train stations, which allow players to utilize a section of another player's route to connect their own. This adds a strategic element to the game and creates opportunities for more complex and interesting gameplay.

However, the game is not without its flaws. The tunnel routes can be frustrating at times, as they require a random draw of cards that can force you to spend additional cards from your hand. Some reviewers also mentioned the game's unbalanced nature and potential for chokepoints, particularly when competing for "main goal" cards.

Overall, I highly recommend Ticket to Ride: Europe for fans of the original Ticket to Ride and anyone looking for a fun, strategic, and engaging board game experience. While it does have a few minor drawbacks, the game's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a truly enjoyable game for players of all skill levels.