Ticket to Ride is one of the "new wave" of board games storming the world.

It has been hugely successful, selling more than 320,000 copies in one year.

The goal in Ticket to Ride is to build the most effective rail network across the US in order to ferry passengers from city to city.

The game starts with each player keeping two or three tickets.

Each ticket highlights two cities on the board and if the players can link these destinations using their trains they will earn bonus points.

Points can also be earned by linking cities without a ticket.

The longer the route, the more points a player can earn.

Each route is colour coded, and to claim a route a player must play the correct number of matching coloured train cards.

These cards can be collect on a players turn. (two per turn)

The trick is that a player can only take train cards from the deck or claim a route on the board.

This means that each turn forces the players to make a tough decision.

The question, "Do I claim that track before someone else or take those two cards I need desperately?" is always on someone's lips.

The final decision confronting players is the option to take more tickets.

This can be a great way to earn extra points, but bewareas every ticket left incomplete at the end of the game will result in points being deducted from a players score.

The highest score at the end of the game will determine the winner.

Ticket to Ride is an excellent game and an ideal introduction to the "new wave" of modern board games.

The game looks visually stunning, each game plays very differently and it is very easy to learn.

One of the best features is that all players are involved in the action right until the end.

This makes for a great game for children, friends and families.

GAME REVIEW BY NEIL THOMSON.