Express

If you enjoy classic card games with that 90s nostalgic vibe, Express will take you straight to the tracks. The premise is straightforward: you need to assemble freight or passenger trains, organizing specific cars to maximize your score. If you've played Rummy, you'll feel right at home, but don't be fooled by the initial simplicity—the game has strategic layers involving hand management and, of course, dealing with your friends' sabotage.

The game's main hook is its 'Take That' dynamic. While you try to build your perfect fleet, opponents can play disaster cards to cause derailments or even steal your precious cars. Interaction is constant, and in four or six-player games, you can play in partnerships, trading key cards to help your teammate complete the most valuable sets. Every train needs a locomotive, represented by the back of the cards, and the game allows you to swap these pieces during your melding phase.

To win, you must be efficient. The game ends when someone manages to lay down a specific combination of trains (one five-car, one four-car, and the rest at least three cars long). It's a race against time, where every unplayed card in your hand counts as a penalty. 'Way Car' cards act as shields, protecting your train from attacks, which adds a necessary layer of defense in such a competitive environment. It's a fast, fun game that rewards those who can balance building their own railway network with keeping a close watch on what others are plotting. If you enjoy games with high interaction where luck must be tamed with good strategy, Express is a trip worth taking.