xpd:
networkn:
We have Catan and Ticket to Ride but never get around to starting them.
Ticket To Ride is a fun and fast game, kids enjoy it - I have the New York edition.
Catan can either be brilliant, or be a friend killer :D Really got to have the right group to play it with ;)
Catan is worth a visit just because it is so iconic but there are much better games out there that don’t leave you locked out of winning or enjoying the game when you get blocked from critical resources. The dice can be so cruel and so can your opponents which is why it is a friend killer. The game also works best with expansions particularly Cities & Knights. We have it and most expansions but only play it once a year because the setup time is too high and there are more enjoyable games.
Simpler games like Ticket to Ride and Carcassone rate more highly, for good reasons including being good for all ages. I’d much rather play those. They also have expansions to increase variety and challenge.
The games I really like to play are often designed in New Zealand. My favourite is Garphill Games Architects of the West Kingdom. It also has expansions with the best being Age of Artisans. It has solo modes but generally the game works best when competing with 5 players using different strategies.