Tsuro

Game 61 of the “Now & Then Summer Marathon 2024” is “Tsuro” played with Jack(9), Toby(6) and 2 of my friend’s kids also aged (6) and (9). Also is most likely going to be our last “then” review.

My original Tsuro review was the 5th review I posted back in December 2021 and it was joined with Snail Sprint (which has also had an updated review). (pic of Jack(6) and Toby(3) playing attached for fun)

A pretty short review tonight as we start the final week of Game Reviews before we take a well-deserved rest, go back to our usual one or two reviews a week, and gear up for the Halloween marathon.

“Tsuro” is a beautiful and simple game based on the types of string mazes that you often found in puzzle books or comics when you were a child.

At the beginning of the game, each player chooses a different colour and starts on the edge of the board. On your turn, you place one of the three tiles from your hand that must continue your journey across the map. Essentially, what you are trying to do is stay on the map for as long as possible because if a player places a tile that moves you along a line to the edge, that is the end of your game.

The game is super simple to understand, and it’s one that I would recommend for pretty much all ages. The artwork is lovely, inspired by Chinese dragons, and it looks beautiful laid out on the table with excellent table presence. The game is easy to grasp, and while the tactics needed to do well aren’t too complex, it can get quite exciting and tense in the last few turns when everything becomes quite cramped.

It’s not absolutely perfect; I’m never that keen on games where players get eliminated, because it simply means you stand around waiting while everyone else finishes the game. But to be honest, “Tsuro” isn’t a long game, and as such, there isn’t really much standing-around time, as usually, everyone will be out within the next 15 minutes anyway, unless you make a massive mistake very early in the game.

“Tsuro” has been around for nearly 20 years now and is slowly becoming a classic board game. There have been a few other versions released since, which I admit I have never actually played, but the original is well worth getting a copy of. I imagine they may do a lovely reprint for the 20th anniversary.