Trailblazers^*

Trailblazers is a light card-laying game for 1 to 8 players from Bitewing Games. You build hiking, biking, and kayaking routes that must form closed loops starting and ending at matching campsites in order to score.

What is it about?

Each round everyone is dealt eight trail cards. You draft two, arrange them in front of you, and pass the rest along. Cards must sit adjacent to or overlap existing ones, so your own personal trail network grows piece by piece.

How it plays

1. Draft two cards from a hand of eight.
2. Place those cards into your personal area.
3. Pass the remaining hand to your neighbour, three times a round.
4. Only closed loops from a matching campsite score points.

Who it's for

• Families and large groups, from age 8 up
• Brisk 30-minute games, solo mode included
• Anyone who enjoys pushing their luck while routing

On top of that, "First To" and end-game goal cards make the race for the right cards worthwhile. Its accessible design earned Trailblazers a Golden Geek Light Game of the Year nomination, among others.

Conclusion

A snappy, friendly tile-layer that scales surprisingly well from 1 to 8. Deep strategists will find it too light, but for relaxed family nights it is a dependable hit.