My first foray into ‘proper board games’ was through the highly acclaimed, and vastly awarded Ticket to Ride (USA), which has remained a favourite even after all this time.

Perhaps the craftsmanship and artwork set it apart from many others, or maybe the whimsy and charm of this game bring to life a character rarely seen in board games, however for me, nothing quite compares to the feeling of drawing your objective cards and realizing they could not be further separated from each other, and yet somehow finding a way to string them together, stretching your rail line from coast to coast.

Ticket to Ride (USA) is a route-building train adventure from German-style board game specialist Alan R. Moon. Players attempt to complete cross-country journeys, block opponents and obtain points all the while working to construct the longest rail line across America.

This game works as beautifully with 2 players as it does with 5, and can be learned in about a minute, actively accommodating for casual players and serious gamers alike; and with over a dozen expansions and varieties, there is ample gameplay to be had.

This is an unwavering favourite of mine, deserving of all accolades and showcasing the hallmarks of a classic; lovely style-matched artwork, simple but well-executed gameplay mechanics and endless replayability come to a junction in Ticket to Ride (USA); a game which truly proves it’s not all about the destination, but how you get there.