

Yet where Ticket to Ride: Switzerland was merely an expansion – consisting of a new board and new Destination Tickets, all packaged into a flat, album sized box – Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries is a full game. Originally available only in Scandinavia, Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries, like its immediate predecessor, Ticket to Ride: Switzerland, is designed for two to three players. If you own none of the TTR series, start with the original or Europe IMHO, but if you’re a fan and want a simpler version for the reasons I suggested, Nordic is a great pick up and you definitely won’t be sorry. What Nordic does is give you that smaller map so that players are forced into competing for routes, amping up the competition level.

Now, note that other TTR titles can also be played with 2 players, but the maps are so big you end playing a game of drawing cards and racing to finish routes. Since I love TTR, Nordic was a natural pick up and we really love being able to just pull it off the shelf on a whim to get some game time in rather than planning a big night of TTR:Europe or Marklin. My wife and I love playing games, but we can’t always get 4 people together to play, especially on a weeknight or something, so I’ve been searching out Euro type games with 2 Player options (like Belfort). This is the big selling point for this edition in my house. With Nordic, the map is smaller, which allows 2 player gaming. Yes, you can get Marklin and introduce passengers, but mainly, once you get the game play down, which is pretty easy to learn, the replay value comes from owning all the different versions so you can conquer new maps. Works well for husband/wife gaming experiences as most routes can be accessible to both partners without too much required adjustment (and won’t result in the other spouse sleeping on the couch).įor Ticket To Ride fans, well at least for this one, the key to these games are the maps. Excellent artwork with proven gaming mechanics. I couldn’t help but get a sense of a Christmas atmosphere given the display of snow and the Nordic man that looked distinctly like an elf to my eyes.

The selection of the train colours of Purple, White, and Black are beautifully mached to the map colours. I love the northern feel of the map and cards. I find that the artwork in this rendition is actually the best in the whole series. Nordic does not disappoint in this department.

Three player games are fun but could be equated to playing a 4-5 player game in the original version, the game can be played but you are apt to experience a high level of frustration caused by having your routes routinely blocked by players in pursuit of their own routes. The game plays 2-3 players but I have found that 2 players is ideal. TtR Nordic plays much like other games in the series, there is nothing new introduced here except for the plaer size and route accessibility. Fortunately, in TtR Nordic we seem to have landed on a winner. Because of this, finding game that we can enjoy together between only us can be challenging. She does enjoy games on ocassion but is very specific in what she is willing to play. I love playing board games (obviously why I am here), unfortunately my wife does not share my same level of enthusiasm for the hobby.
