Tsuro, the Game of the Path

Here’s a good old game I’ve had for years but somehow forgotten about. It was released in 2004 by WizKids, and won a slew of awards. They also released Tsuro of the Seas, which is just like Tsuro except you’re sailing a ship and there are sea monsters. Both sets currently are produced by Calliope Games.

Tsuro is a quick board game for two to eight players. You start at the edge of the board and set down tiles, each of which has pictures of various strings that connect with adjoining tiles. These are the paths mentioned in the game’s title.

The goal is to keep to your own path without going off the edge of the board. However, you must always move forward to the end of the path. So, you can force opponents out of the game by setting down a tile that will direct them off the board. If it happens that two players are on the same path and collide, then both are out of the game. Staying still is not an option.

In addition to the simple rules, the illustration is a major selling point for this game. A beautiful red and gold Asian dragon adorns the box. The individual playing pieces resemble standing stones, each with a similar dragon carved in.

This game is very easy and yet challenging. The board only has 36 spaces, so it fills up fast, leading to a short game. People who want dazzling excitement may not be thrilled with Tsuro, but the game is perfect if you just want to chill for a few minutes with family and friends.