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Posts Tagged ‘Original Version’

Ticket to Ride Europe

March 4th, 2010

Ticket to Ride Europe




Ticket to Ride: Europe takes you on a new train adventure across Europe. From Edinburgh to Constantinople and from Lisbon to Moscow, you’ll visit great cities of turn-of-the-century Europe. More than just a new map, Ticket to Ride: Europe features brand new gameplay elements including Tunnels, Ferries and Train Stations. The game also includes larger format cards and Train Station game pieces. Like the original Ticket to Ride, the game remains elegantly simple, can be learned in 5 minutes, and appeals to both families and experienced gamers. Ticket to Ride: Europe is a complete, new game and does not require the original version. Part of the Ticket to Ride series.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great Game!
We first played Ticket to Ride USA and thought this one would be fun too. We were right! Adding the tunnels, being able to use the trains of other players and other twists makes this game all that much more fun! Excellent game – we would (and do) recommend it to anyone!!

5 Stars Great followup, not as good as the original
To anyone considering this game that hasn’t played the original Ticket To Ride, I’d recommend checking out the US version’s reviews first. The short version of pretty much all the reviews is: the game is wonderful, you won’t be disapointed.

Compared to the original, this game isn’t quite as fun. Not much has changed in this version. The map is very different, there are now tunnels and express ways (or something like that) that limit how you can claim your routes, and there are the addition of the train stations, but ultimately these new additions do not add to the experience significantly, and the tighter board makes for a somewhat more stressful experience. This should not deter anyone interested in another ticket to ride though: this game is still very fun.

If you’re getting this game for a younger kid(say, 8 or younger), I’d recommend getting the original first, as the train station rules can confuse adults as well as kids.

4 Stars Definately game of the year!
This Game is Great! My wife and I love to play it with friends. It’s fast and easy to pick up with people who haven’t played before.

5 Stars Time for fun
Very good game that continues Ticket To Ride series with new features which enhance player’s fun and satisfaction. Besides that, the board map allows you to learn a more about Europe’s geography.

4 Stars Quick and Light with a hint of Luck
If I had to summarize this game in a few words, I would use “quick and light with a hint of luck.” That is to say, I didn’t like the game — I think it’s a perfectly wonderful game. We just got it yesterday and so far me and my brother have played it over fifteen times. It’s a very fast paced game so whenever we’re stuck with a decision to make, it almost seems like the other player gets anxious to move because they’re already ready.

Plus, it’s a nice change from a game like Power Grid where luck is not really a factor and you spend your time strategizing more often than not and a turn takes forever to complete.

The book of rules, while seemingly long, is very easy to pick up once you start playing. They’re not complex at all and for the most part are pretty straight-forward. The only thing we found confusing was the part about drawing more destination tickets. In the beginning, when going over the turn order, it tells us we draw destination tickets as the third step in a turn but later on in the destination ticket section, it tells us we “may” draw destination tickets. In the end, we figured out there was no way we were forced to draw destination tickets every single turn as it would be absolute chaos (since we’re forced to keep at least one of the three we draw).

The drawbacks we have seen so far in the gameplay are the facts that the long destinations tickets are limited to only six and after playing the game so many times yesterday, it’s always quite clear which of the six we’re attempting. And the fact that with the point system, building the long tunnel between Stockholm and St. Petersburg and even the smaller six train routes give players a large point advantage, whether or not they need it.

We have yet to play with more than two players so we expect the gameplay and strategy to be kicked up a notch when we add more players (and hopefully we won’t figure out what long routes we’re all attempting, if we’re doing them at all) and we’re looking forward to that. Hopefully that will make it seem a bit more interesting as I suspect it’s already getting a little predictable.

But that still doesn’t stop us from wanting to play more. It’s a very addicting little game and it reminds me a bit about how we were when we first discovered Catan. Definitely the other great gateway game we’ve played so far. As relative newbies to these new types of boardgames, we’re more than satisfied we added Ticket to Ride Europe to our collection. We’ve never played the first Ticket to Ride but it does make me wonder how it differs in terms of game play.

Buy/More Info

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Hasbro The Game of Life

February 15th, 2010

Hasbro The Game of Life




Practice makes perfect in the game of Life. Try marriage, kids, and more. Will you go to college and take out student loans? Or join the working force and collect on payday? Will you go bankrupt, or earn millions in stock and real estate? Anything’s possible with a spin of the Life wheel! A classic family game that can be a reality check–or just a fun time. –Margaret Quinn

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars The Game of Life, a board game
A gift to an eight year old granddaughter this retro board game was a hit. Though the rules are complex (but then so is Life), she had no problems keeping a grandparent straight.

Tired of electronic gizmos? Games like this (no batteries included or needed) can put fun back into family time.

2 Stars Agree w/ the old schoolers – original version much better
I don’t usually write reviews but am so annoyed by this version of Life, I felt compelled.

I also wished I had read some reviews before buying the “new” Life. We played the original version at my in-laws the last 2 Christmases and went out and bought our own this year to have at home with the kids.

Things I liked:

- If you go to college, you start out with debt. Seems reasonable and realistic.

- You can change a career mid-life. You could even lose your job and be forced into a non-college career. That’s life in a recession!

Things I didn’t like:

- They got rid of fire and life insurance. I felt like that was one of the simplest ways to teach my kids what insurance is. We always bought insurance first thing, whenever we could. And delighted when fire ripped through our house but we were insured! But alas, no more.

- Holes in the rules: All the time tested games (board, card, or otherwise) have watertight rules, not a hole to be found. There were several times while playing this version that I scoured the rules for a special case and didn’t find a clear answer. For one: at the end of the game, does your house count towards your cash count? It never says! We assumed it does because if it doesn’t, then what’s the point of upgrading your house? Why wouldn’t you just buy the cheapest house with the 4 children in your car and be done with it?

- Life tiles: Many old schoolers have already complained about the Life tiles. What I don’t like about them is that I don’t see the point in taking them from each other, especially when they are face down. What real life situation does that imitate? You either get $10K for winning a marathon or not, why would you get it from another player?

- No interest charged on debts: That’s just not realistic.

Jury is still out:

- The end of the game is gentler, not an all or nothing decision. I never knew what to do at the end of the original game, to gamble or not. At the end of the new version, I feel like whether you finish first or last, it’s more about whether you’ve accumulated more during the whole course of the game.

Nits:

- The stop signs! Some are before the orange space where everyone is required to stop and some are after! Does that mean we stop at the sign or on the orange space? It’s just that kind of lack of attention to detail that irks me about the new game.

- The people fall out of the car all the time. Annoying!

- Yes, the spinner feels flimsy. Doesn’t have the same weight or whirrrrr as the original.

I may be hittin’ eBay as well. Or we may have to pilfer the in-law’s game because the new one is not up to snuff.

4 Stars Nostalgic
Just as much fun as I remember. Playing it as an adult, I realize this game was truly a product of the 50’s. You had to get a job, had to get married and buy a house. Great family game.

4 Stars Fun Game!
I purchased this game for my 15 year old daughter and she loves it! We have to play it at least once every day. She learns about careers, taxes, housing costs and the overall value of money.

3 Stars Family fun.
We enjoyed this game, which is good for largish groups, but it did take an age to put together. Overall, a lot of fun.

Buy/More Info

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Hasbro The Game of Life

October 28th, 2009

Hasbro The Game of Life




In this classic game of fortune, your goal is to dodge bad luck and make a buck. Along the way, you’ll also earn valuable Life Tiles by doing good deeds, helping your community, or just taking a break from the rat race! Retire with the biggest fortune, and you’ll win! Each space is a different adventure, so you’ll get a whole new Life every time you play. What does Life have in store for you’ Take a spin and find out! For 2 to 6 players. Game includes: game board, six plastic car pawns, plastic “people pegs”, plastic mountains, spinner and bridge, MB money, 25 Life Tiles, deck of 36 cards, insurance policies, bank loans, label sheet and instruction sheet. Color of parts my vary.

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars Agree w/ the old schoolers – original version much better
I don’t usually write reviews but am so annoyed by this version of Life, I felt compelled.

I also wished I had read some reviews before buying the “new” Life. We played the original version at my in-laws the last 2 Christmases and went out and bought our own this year to have at home with the kids.

Things I liked:

- If you go to college, you start out with debt. Seems reasonable and realistic.

- You can change a career mid-life. You could even lose your job and be forced into a non-college career. That’s life in a recession!

Things I didn’t like:

- They got rid of fire and life insurance. I felt like that was one of the simplest ways to teach my kids what insurance is. We always bought insurance first thing, whenever we could. And delighted when fire ripped through our house but we were insured! But alas, no more.

- Holes in the rules: All the time tested games (board, card, or otherwise) have watertight rules, not a hole to be found. There were several times while playing this version that I scoured the rules for a special case and didn’t find a clear answer. For one: at the end of the game, does your house count towards your cash count? It never says! We assumed it does because if it doesn’t, then what’s the point of upgrading your house? Why wouldn’t you just buy the cheapest house with the 4 children in your car and be done with it?

- Life tiles: Many old schoolers have already complained about the Life tiles. What I don’t like about them is that I don’t see the point in taking them from each other, especially when they are face down. What real life situation does that imitate? You either get $10K for winning a marathon or not, why would you get it from another player?

- No interest charged on debts: That’s just not realistic.

Jury is still out:

- The end of the game is gentler, not an all or nothing decision. I never knew what to do at the end of the original game, to gamble or not. At the end of the new version, I feel like whether you finish first or last, it’s more about whether you’ve accumulated more during the whole course of the game.

Nits:

- The stop signs! Some are before the orange space where everyone is required to stop and some are after! Does that mean we stop at the sign or on the orange space? It’s just that kind of lack of attention to detail that irks me about the new game.

- The people fall out of the car all the time. Annoying!

- Yes, the spinner feels flimsy. Doesn’t have the same weight or whirrrrr as the original.

I may be hittin’ eBay as well. Or we may have to pilfer the in-law’s game because the new one is not up to snuff.

4 Stars The Game of Life, a board game
A gift to an eight year old granddaughter this retro board game was a hit. Though the rules are complex (but then so is Life), she had no problems keeping a grandparent straight.

Tired of electronic gizmos? Games like this (no batteries included or needed) can put fun back into family time.

4 Stars Fun Game!
I purchased this game for my 15 year old daughter and she loves it! We have to play it at least once every day. She learns about careers, taxes, housing costs and the overall value of money.

3 Stars Family fun.
We enjoyed this game, which is good for largish groups, but it did take an age to put together. Overall, a lot of fun.

4 Stars Nostalgic
Just as much fun as I remember. Playing it as an adult, I realize this game was truly a product of the 50’s. You had to get a job, had to get married and buy a house. Great family game.

Buy/More Info

Kid Toys Dolls , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Ticket to Ride Europe

October 22nd, 2009

Ticket to Ride Europe




Ticket to Ride: Europe takes you on a new train adventure across Europe. From Edinburgh to Constantinople and from Lisbon to Moscow, you’ll visit great cities of turn-of-the-century Europe. More than just a new map, Ticket to Ride: Europe features brand new gameplay elements including Tunnels, Ferries and Train Stations. The game also includes larger format cards and Train Station game pieces. Like the original Ticket to Ride, the game remains elegantly simple, can be learned in 5 minutes, and appeals to both families and experienced gamers. Ticket to Ride: Europe is a complete, new game and does not require the original version. Part of the Ticket to Ride series.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Definately game of the year!
This Game is Great! My wife and I love to play it with friends. It’s fast and easy to pick up with people who haven’t played before.

4 Stars Quick and Light with a hint of Luck
If I had to summarize this game in a few words, I would use “quick and light with a hint of luck.” That is to say, I didn’t like the game — I think it’s a perfectly wonderful game. We just got it yesterday and so far me and my brother have played it over fifteen times. It’s a very fast paced game so whenever we’re stuck with a decision to make, it almost seems like the other player gets anxious to move because they’re already ready.

Plus, it’s a nice change from a game like Power Grid where luck is not really a factor and you spend your time strategizing more often than not and a turn takes forever to complete.

The book of rules, while seemingly long, is very easy to pick up once you start playing. They’re not complex at all and for the most part are pretty straight-forward. The only thing we found confusing was the part about drawing more destination tickets. In the beginning, when going over the turn order, it tells us we draw destination tickets as the third step in a turn but later on in the destination ticket section, it tells us we “may” draw destination tickets. In the end, we figured out there was no way we were forced to draw destination tickets every single turn as it would be absolute chaos (since we’re forced to keep at least one of the three we draw).

The drawbacks we have seen so far in the gameplay are the facts that the long destinations tickets are limited to only six and after playing the game so many times yesterday, it’s always quite clear which of the six we’re attempting. And the fact that with the point system, building the long tunnel between Stockholm and St. Petersburg and even the smaller six train routes give players a large point advantage, whether or not they need it.

We have yet to play with more than two players so we expect the gameplay and strategy to be kicked up a notch when we add more players (and hopefully we won’t figure out what long routes we’re all attempting, if we’re doing them at all) and we’re looking forward to that. Hopefully that will make it seem a bit more interesting as I suspect it’s already getting a little predictable.

But that still doesn’t stop us from wanting to play more. It’s a very addicting little game and it reminds me a bit about how we were when we first discovered Catan. Definitely the other great gateway game we’ve played so far. As relative newbies to these new types of boardgames, we’re more than satisfied we added Ticket to Ride Europe to our collection. We’ve never played the first Ticket to Ride but it does make me wonder how it differs in terms of game play.

5 Stars Great followup, not as good as the original
To anyone considering this game that hasn’t played the original Ticket To Ride, I’d recommend checking out the US version’s reviews first. The short version of pretty much all the reviews is: the game is wonderful, you won’t be disapointed.

Compared to the original, this game isn’t quite as fun. Not much has changed in this version. The map is very different, there are now tunnels and express ways (or something like that) that limit how you can claim your routes, and there are the addition of the train stations, but ultimately these new additions do not add to the experience significantly, and the tighter board makes for a somewhat more stressful experience. This should not deter anyone interested in another ticket to ride though: this game is still very fun.

If you’re getting this game for a younger kid(say, 8 or younger), I’d recommend getting the original first, as the train station rules can confuse adults as well as kids.

5 Stars Great Game!
We first played Ticket to Ride USA and thought this one would be fun too. We were right! Adding the tunnels, being able to use the trains of other players and other twists makes this game all that much more fun! Excellent game – we would (and do) recommend it to anyone!!

5 Stars Time for fun
Very good game that continues Ticket To Ride series with new features which enhance player’s fun and satisfaction. Besides that, the board map allows you to learn a more about Europe’s geography.

Buy/More Info

Kid Toys Dolls , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Super Scrabble Deluxe Edition

October 17th, 2009

Super Scrabble Deluxe Edition




Due to overwhelming demand, the Scrabble game with more spaces, more points and more tiles is now available with a rotating game board and raised grid spaces. 2 to 4 players.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars somehwat flimsy
Two complaints about this item. 1-The board, especially the hinges are extremely flimsy. I don’t expect it to hold up. and 2-Believe it or not, there are too many “bonus” squares…makes it almost too easy to score big and takes some of the fun out of it.

3 Stars Scrabble Super Deluxe
Super Scrabble Deluxe Edition

Though the set comes with double the tiles (200) and more rows/columns than the original, the board was disappointing. The original deluxe Scrabble (manufactured by S&R)was on a turntable and had deeper edges than this new Hasbro version. This board does not move as easily and has a chintzy feel to it.

5 Stars Super Game !!!
My wife and I are avid Scrabble players. She is actually very avid and serious. She is also very difficult to buy presents for or to surprise with something that she really likes.

When I found Super Scrabble I decided to take a chance and bought it for her for Christmas.

She was skeptical when she opened it, but we played our first game a few days later with our sons who were both home for the holidays and thoroughly enjoyed it. My wife declared that she never wanted to play normal scrabble again!!

It is a great and challenging game. It does take longer to play but does result in higher scores and somehow makes comebacks more possible than in the original version.

Yes the board is a bit flimsy, but we mounted it permanently on a piece of ?inch plywood and it is much more sturdy. It no longer works like a lazy susan, but that could be remedied if I was creative enough.

If you like Scrabble odds are that you will love Super Scrabble.

Ewald Wiberg

author of The Perfect Vacation: One Couple’s Adventures at Sea With and Without the Kids

2 Stars Design, Craftmanship, & Challenge of Game
The design and craftmanship of this board is very poor. They use inexpensive plastic hinges on each end which causes “warping” of the thin plastic used. If they would ’spring’ for two additional plastic hinges between each end it would greatly help in reducing the warping of the board. As it is I am expecting my third shipment in hopes of finally receiving “one” board that isn’t warped and I can lay my letters flat. Upon picking up the board one has to be extremely careful as it tends to break apart at the hinges.

Overall as a game it’s terrific having more spaces and tiles to play with as it makes for a much more interesting and challenging game.

4 Stars Sensational Game, Board not Too Well Made
My husband and I love playing Scrabble, so one day not too long ago, I surprised him by purchasing the deluxe version of Super Scrabble. I wanted it because of the opportunity to make words that you could not make with the regular Scrabble game. I also like the gridded board to help keep the tiles in place while the game is in progress.

As far as the game play goes, we love it… but as far as durability goes, I’m not too thrilled with the way the board is made. The seam where the board folds not only won’t always lay flat, the board comes apart there on a regular basis. In fact, I think the board has come apart every time we play the game… We’re not rough on the game; the board is just made in a slip-shod manner. So far, my husband has been able to put the board back together again each time it comes apart, however, it is plastic so I’m not expecting it to last like it should.

I can’t recommend this version of the game to families with young children because of the structural defects of the game board; aside from that annoying flaw, I do recommend the Super Scrabble game to families with teenage children and to adults who like to stretch their vocabulary. Families with younger children should probably consider the less expensive regular version of Super Scrabble – the one where the board isn’t plastic.

Buy/More Info

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