By: Days of Wonder Players: 2-4 Ages: 6+ Time: Up to 30 mins
Based on the award-winning ‘Ticket To Ride First Journey board game transports up to four young adventurers across the United States by train.
See the sites and travel from state to state whilst completing various route cards.
The first player to complete six routes receives the Golden Ticket and is declared the winner!
Climb aboard and embark on an exciting train journey across America!
The game set includes bonus ticket cards, train cards, and a colorful game board to enhance your adventure.
What Is Ticket To Ride?
The Ticket To Ride franchise started twenty years ago back in 2004. It was designed by Alan R. Moon and published by Days of Wonder. When released, the game was met with critical acclaim and to this day the original iteration has won over a dozen awards, sold over 10 million copies, and spawned more versions than both you and I can count on both hands together!
Ticket to Ride has widely been regarded as a “Gateway Game”, a term normally referencing games that are excellent at hooking new players into the hobby of board gaming. It balances simplicity and depth and combines strategy and luck in a way that appeals to both beginner and veteran gamers.
The game revolves around players using different colored train cards to try and build train lines to connect different cities across a map of North America, engaging in cross-country travel. Players start with a set of destination cards that dictate where a train line begins and ends. Players collect train cards, claim routes, and try to connect cities coast-to-coast.
If players complete these routes they’ll receive bonus points at the end of the game, or lose points if they can’t. The longer the train line the more points the card is worth and players can choose to take as many as they want throughout the course of the game. As routes are claimed, everyone uses a set of mini-trains to indicate which route belongs to which player. Once all the mini trains have been used or all viable routes claimed the game ends, points are calculated, and whoever has the highest score is the winner.
Check out our full review of Ticket to Ride here.
How Is Ticket To Ride First Journey Different?
First Journey came about in 2016 and was created as a way to introduce younger players to the series. The industrial setting and general premise of the game remains the same, but there are a few rule changes that have been made to simply the experience. First Journey features a brand new map with simplified rules to appeal to younger players. Players will only have to juggle a couple of destination cards at a time and as routes are claimed these cards are automatically replaced. This differs from the parent game as there is no limit to the number of destination cards players can have and they aren’t automatically replaced after completion. There are also no points involved in the first Journey and simply completing the destination cards is enough to secure victory.
Aside from keeping the aesthetics mostly the same, the game pieces are bigger and brighter, the board smaller and the connections shorter, all of which will appeal to the target age group a lot more than the original game. In this version, routes are shorter, and train cards are drawn straight from the deck, making it easier for new players to grasp the game.
How to Play Ticket To Ride First Journey:
There are a few versions of Ticket to Ride First Journey – America, Europe, and Ghost Train. For the purpose of the review we’ll be focusing on the American version, but all games play similarly with just a few tweaks to the rules.
To start, everyone picks which color they’d like to be and takes all the corresponding plastic trains. Each player receives four colored train cards and two destination cards. Once these have been distributed the remaining cards are placed face down near the board and act as the deck for their respective types of cards.
On a player’s turn, they can do one of two actions: draw a train card or claim routes. Train cards come in six different colors and are used to claim the various routes on the game board. If players don’t have enough train cards they can draw another one from the top of the deck.
To claim a route, players must use train cards from their hand that are the same color and number of spaces the train line consists of. Ie. If a route is two yellow spaces, the player must play two yellow train cards to claim it. Along with the different colored train cards, there are also multi-colored locomotives that act as wild cards. These can be used as a substitute for any other color and multiple locomotives can be played at once.
When train cards are played, the player takes their plastic trains and lays them on the route they claimed, then discards any train cards they used. Only one route can be claimed per turn but they do not need to connect to each other, so as long as it isn’t owned by anyone else, players can claim any routes they wish as long as they have the matching cards.
When a player completes a continuous line of trains between the two cities listed on their destination card they may flip it face up on the table in front of them and draw a replacement. If a player is able to make a continuous line of trains from a city on the West Coast to one on the East Coast, they may take a ‘Coast to Coast’ bonus card. This acts as an additional destination card that goes towards a player’s total.
The game ends when a player completes six destination cards. This grants them the Golden Ticket (but no chocolate factory) and they are declared the winner!
Expansions and Spin-Offs
For those who give Ticket to Ride: first Journey a try and want more of the same, there are plenty of different iterations of the game to try. All are very similar but just different enough to provide a unique experience.
As mentioned above, there are two other versions directed at younger players: First Journey Europe and Ghost Train. These are great for younger gamers who might not be ready for the full game.
For younger players who want something more challenging, there are many different versions of the original game that span all kinds of countries and continents: Europe, Switzerland, Germany, as well as the Nordic and Baltic nations to name a few.
For those short on time is the standalone ‘Cities’ series that takes the original game and condenses it into a smaller experience that takes fifteen minutes to play through. Each of these has an additional unique scoring mechanism and the trains are replaced with vehicles more specific to the setting. London for example uses double-decker buses as one of its components and San Francisco utilises trolley cars.
There are also Map Collections which come with a double sided game board and offer two different ways to play. There was also a digital version released for various platforms, including IOS and Android for anyone wanting to play on the go. In these expansions, the game ends when a player completes six tickets, adding a new layer of challenge and excitement.
There isn’t a right or wrong game to start with and it’s purely a matter of preference. One thing is for sure: with such a multitude of expansions and standalone games, this is a series that’ll keep gamers occupied for a long time!
Final Verdict
The original Ticket To Ride is fun for gamers old and new, and First Journey does an excellent job of translating the experience for younger players. Simplifying the rules and making shorter connections streamlines the gameplay perfectly and does a great job of keeping players entertained.
The bright colors of the board and pieces really capture kids’ attention and where sessions tend to be no longer than half an hour, it’s unlikely they’ll be bored. With its even mixture of strategy and luck, it’s one of the best games to use to introduce new players to the hobby.
For young adventurers, a thrilling journey awaits as they explore the colorful world of Ticket to Ride: First Journey.
Summary:
Simple rules
Short play time
Bright and colorful
Plenty of spin-offs to try
Great gateway game
We recommend this post in our post on the best board games for 6 year olds. Check out that list for more recommendations
If You Liked This:
If you or your kids enjoyed riding the rails across America, below are some similar games that you or they may enjoy playing:
Ticket To Ride: Ticket To Ride expands on the rules and strategy its junior counterpart offers and provides a more engaging and strategic experience that will be easy for younger players to transition to if they’ve played Ticket to Ride: First Journey.
Full Ticket to Ride Review Here
Carcassone: A tile drawing and placement game. Construct the largest cities, roads, monasteries, and fields and score the most points by laying down followers strategically.
Catan Junior: Trade, build, and expand in this social strategy game where players explore an island and grow their civilisation.
Full Catan Junior Review here
Kingdomino: A domino-like game where players draft tiles and use them to expand their kingdom.
Full Kingdomino Review here
Flamme Rouge: A fast-paced tactical game where players take control of two cyclists, each with their own strengths, and try to cross the finish line first.
FAQ
How many players can play Ticket to Ride: First Journey?
Ticket to Ride: First Journey can accommodate 2 to 4 players, making it a great option for family game nights or small gatherings.
What is the recommended age for Ticket to Ride: First Journey?
The game is suitable for children aged 6 and up, although younger children with good reading and basic counting skills may also enjoy it.
How long does it take to play a game of Ticket to Ride: First Journey?
A typical game session takes around 15 to 30 minutes, making it a relatively short and engaging game for younger players with shorter attention spans.
Do I need to own the original Ticket to Ride to play First Journey?
No, Ticket to Ride: First Journey is a standalone game and does not require the original Ticket to Ride game to play.
Is First Journey a good introductory game for young players?
Yes, Ticket to Ride: First Journey is specifically designed with younger players in mind, featuring simplified rules and shorter play times that make it an excellent introduction to board gaming.
Are there any expansions for Ticket to Ride: First Journey?
Yes, there are expansions and spin-offs like First Journey Europe and Ghost Train which cater to different geographical settings and add unique twists to the gameplay.
Can older players enjoy Ticket to Ride: First Journey?
While the game is designed for younger players, older players who appreciate simpler and faster-paced games may also enjoy Ticket to Ride: First Journey equally.
Where can I purchase Ticket to Ride: First Journey?
Ticket to Ride First Journey is available at most major retailers, specialty game stores, and online marketplaces like Amazon.
Can I play Ticket to Ride: First Journey online?
As of now, Ticket to Ride First Journey does not have a dedicated digital version, but there are digital adaptations of the original Ticket to Ride game available.
What should I do if some game components are missing or damaged?
If any components are missing or damaged upon purchase, you can usually contact the publisher, Days of Wonder, for replacements. Keep the proof of purchase handy when making such requests.