‘Tis the season for merriment, mistletoe, and… board games? Absolutely! When the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we’ve no place to go, let us play, let us play, let us play. Yes, gather the family to enjoy each other’s company and engage in some good old-fashioned fun with a Christmas-themed board game that promises laughter, strategy, and a dash of festive competition. But not just any board game, a board game that is a race to Santa’s home in the North Pole, welcome to The Christmas Express Game from Cheatwell Games!
The Christmas Express Game is a board game for 2 to 4 players, aged 6+ and excellent family fun this festive season. It is the perfect ticket for a jolly journey to the North Pole.
In the box:
- 56 Numbered Cards
- 14 Action Cards
- Playing Board
- 8 Character Playing Pieces
- 4 Character Stands
- Rules/Instructions Booklet
The playing of board games at Christmas is a fun bonding experience, add in a Christmas theme and it really gets you into the spirit of Christmas. The Christmas Express Game comes with a board that is a winter wonderland, adorned with vibrant illustrations that could make even the Grinch crack a smile. Players choose from 8 adorable festive characters (including Santa), each vying to be the first to reach Santa’s headquarters in the North Pole. But beware, this track to the North Pole is fraught with perils like snowstorms and the notorious Naughty Elf, who’s just itching to send you sliding backwards down a bridge.
The object of the game is to travel along the festive train track from the Home Station to the North Pole Station. The first player to reach the North Pole Station is the winner. Along the journey, players get to stop at the festive sounding stations Evergreen Grove, Hot Chocolate Corner, Candy Cane Lane, Snowflake Falls and Jingle Bell Square on the beautifully illustrated board. But it isn’t all easy going, watch out for snowstorms, naughty elves and reindeer crossing, you might think that they are cute but they will hinder your journey!
Before game play can start, each player selects a playing character and inserts it into a plastic base – there are eight to choose from; penguin, fox, reindeer, elf, snowman, polar bear, rabbit and of course Santa. Place the board in the centre of the table within easy reach of all players and place the playing characters on the Home Station at the bottom right of the board. Shuffle the cards and deal four cards face down to each player. The remaining cards are placed face down in the space labelled Christmas Express Draw Pile.
To start the journey to the North Pole, the player who most resembles an elf starts the game, drawing a card from the deck on the board to create a hand of five cards (players must always have 5 cards in their hand on their turn). There are no dice rolls in this game, players move by playing cards from their hand – use a numbered card and move that number of spaces, play three of a kind and advance to the next station stop or play an Action card and follow the instructions on the card. As players move around the board they can stop at stations to draw extra cards and move again, take a shortcut across the bridge or fall down the bridge and go back and Action cards can see you advancing further of falling back. The first player to reach the North Pole Station is the winner.
Overall, The Christmas Express Game is a fun family game that’s chugging its way into the hearts of families faster than Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve.
A fun game where strategy comes into play. With a hand of cards dictating your moves, you’ll need to think like a chess master and plot like a villain in a holiday movie. Do you play the Hustle Bustle card and move forward 8 spaces while forcing the lead player to go back to their previous station, or save your Santa card to block the Naughty Elf’s dastardly deeds? The choices are as plentiful as the cookies left out for Santa.
But it’s not all cutthroat competition; there’s a heartwarming element to this game that embodies the spirit of Christmas. Whether you’re sipping hot chocolate at Hot Chocolate Corner or ringing the bell at Jingle Bell Square, you’ll feel the warmth of the season with every turn and use of a card.
And let’s not forget the laughter that ensues when Grandma gets sent back 22 squares because of that slippery slope. It’s the kind of fun that makes memories and brings families closer together, even if it’s over the shared misfortune of a well-played Naughty Elf card.
The Christmas Express Game is an excellent Christmas-themed family board game that gets everybody bonding and soaking up the Christmas spirit. It is easy to learn and play and is a very inclusive game.
Perfect for the Yuletide season.
Rating: 4/5
RRP: £25
For more information, visit cheatwell.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
