Ticket to Ride is another Live game based on a board game, however this is one that I have not heard of, maybe because the inclusion of trains meant I subconsciously decided to avoid it.

The idea of the game is to complete as many train lines as possible by connecting US states. The game board is a map of the USA, each state is there and connected by small coloured train coaches ranging in distance from1 to 6. You first choose what train lines you want to play for, once decided you will then start to pick 2 cards at a time, you can pick from 5 shown on screen or random face down. The cards vary in colour plus the occasional wild card which can represent any colour. Once you have enough of one colour you can lay claim to your train line and once you have linked the two states together that you originally chose you earn points and then you repeat the process until the end of the game.

Whilst there is luck in the cards, the additional challenge is to second guess your opponents and try to hamper their progress by stealing the tracks from beneath them. To be honest, playing the game is the only way to experience its sense of strategy and addictiveness. The in-game tutorials really left me scratching my head, the simplest way to explain is to think of it like the old TV show Blockbusters, but instead of letters and questions you have US states and coloured cards.

The single player experience is fun enough but the game really shines in multiplayer, up to 5 people can play against each other to rule the rails and if you play with all 5 players you will be in for a real tough challenge.

I was very surprised at how good Ticket to Ride is and still go back to play it even after writing this review, which is a rarity for me when it comes to Xbox Live games. It may not be to everyone’s taste but those who do download this game shouldn’t feel at all hard done by.