TICKET TO RIDE: AMSTERDAM
Designer: Alan R Moon | Publisher: Days of Wonder
2004 was a simpler time, all we needed was Ticket to Ride and a copy of Catan and we were satisfied. These days the idea of sitting down to play one of the larger versions of Ticket to Ride can feel a bit daunting – an hour, or sometimes longer with a larger group of new players can feel like a long time. Thus, the entry of the smaller and more compact versions of the game into the market was a godsend – New York and London being excellent versions.
Ticket to Ride Amsterdam is possibly the apex of this small-box version of the game. Here we have carts, instead of trains, which we’re trying to run between markets. They’re lovingly sculpted, but once you get going they might as well just be any abstract block. Equally, the inclusion of a ‘wooden’ coloured player token is a great touch, as are the slots that they snugly fit into. The game loop is the same – pick routes that you need to fulfil for points, then get the right number of carts to match what’s on the board to make a connection through the various stations. Complete your route for the points, and any cards in your hand left at the end are taken off your final score.
Ticket to Ride Amsterdam is Ticket to Ride in 15 minutes, sometimes less. It’s got everything the bigger games have, but with a speed that makes it possible to play four games in an hour. It’s frankly a joy to have all the pressure taken out of the game, and losing to feel more like ‘I’ll get you next time’ – which is right away. It also makes the game work well as a duel. If you need to free up some time in your life, and don’t mind having a stab at Dutch place names, swap your bigger box Ticket to Ride for this.
CHRISTOPHER JOHN EGGETT