Drew

The Nordic Countries addition to TTR is my favorite stand alone two player map.

Unlike some of the 2 player maps that are available this is a full addition that does not require one of the other TTR(US or Europe) to play.

The winter artwork on the board and train tickets is beautiful and makes this a must play for my wife and I at Christmas.

Nordic Countries includes tunnels and ferries like the Europe edition of TTR which I think adds a nice “gamer” aspect that is missing from the TTR US.

The other difference between this map and the US and Europe maps is it is a vertical map. That might not seem like much of a difference, but honestly the first time my wife and I set the game up it was a major change for both of us. In the end it doesn’t the map plays the same, but to the eye it is just a nice chance.

Ticket to Ride is what brought me into this wonderful hobby and so my review might be clouded by that, but I do feel this is more than just a gateway game.

Sure this is an easy way to introduce people into modern board games, but I feel there is enough to this game to keep experienced players coming back.

The set collection aspect is easy to describe to new players because it is found in most card games that we are all introduced to growing up. The wild card locomotive cards is another easily explained aspect to the game.

After this the hidden agendas(destination cards) is what I think makes this game great for all players. The first time you play you concentrate on completing those lines that directly connect your destinations. As you continue to play you will start looking for routes that not only connect one of your destination tickets, but ones that will help with other tickets and also with the longest train bonus at the end. You might also start enjoying the cut throat/block your opponent nature of the game.

My biggest knock against the US map is that it does not play well with lower player counts. I really feel this plays best with 4 or 5. 3 is ok, but 2 player games just leave too much open space and games can end up feeling like 2 solo games.

I had played Viticulture a few times at a local game meet up, but honestly I just thought of it as a middle of the road worker placement game. That is until I was introduced to the Tuscany expansion.

The Tuscany Expansion is not simply a few new cards or characters, but a large box with 12 new modules that you can take your time unlocking in campaign style. While some of these modules are just filler in my opinion there are several that I will not play without.

The top module in my opinion is the Mamas and the Papas module. These are cards that show you what your starting hand, money, fields, even specialty building will be. It mixes up what each player starts with each game and in most cases allows the player to choose between extra money or a specialty building for one of their starting rewards.

The new larger board is another module that I prefer to play with if I am playing with someone who has played the game before.

The metal coins in this expansion are my favorite moneys in any game.

After playing Viticulture with the Tuscany expansion it made me run out and purchase both.