Ticket to Ride: Reviewed and written by Jason Hewitt

Image: boardgamegeek.com

I was recently in a situation where groups of people suddenly had to socialize without really knowing each other that well and with not much time to accomplish this feat. Our instructor was so far ahead in his lesson plan that he decided we were to have a free class where we could do something fun. So, he brought in the games!

I found myself playing Ticket to Ride.

Moments later my small group was forging ahead, laying lines, placing our pieces and having a great time.

This game was borrowed from the SAIT Reg Erhardt Library collection and I couldn’t help but think that this game would be a good draw for a family on night out. It provides a pleasant experience. Colorful and vibrant, it can be deceptively tricky at times! The idea is basically to lay down miniature train car pieces in succession with the goal of linking them together to form your own railroads. At the end of the game the player with the most connected lines wins!

This simple and delightful game brought my group together just that much more at at time when we certainly were able to make use of a social boost and it would be great in a library that wishes to encourage an active and physically present community.

One thing that struck me in particular was the fact that this game lends itself well to the creation of kits for different groups of people. One could develop a kit for youth that might promote or introduce them to the idea of model railroading. Or perhaps photography enthusiasts could be drawn somehow by finding an excuse to place near the game a display involving books with photos of trains. A history website article involving trains and resources in the library about trains could be created and the address could be physically printed on a bookmark that can be placed near the game.

In short, the game is cool, trains are as well, and the introduction of this game into a library board game collection certainly provides some interesting opportunity as far as cross-promoting library material.