If you enjoy pure mental challenges where luck is non-existent and everything depends on your game vision, Traverse is the right choice. Imagine a square grid board where the goal is simple, yet the execution requires strategy: you must move all eight of your pieces from your starting row to the row of the opponent sitting opposite you. Sounds easy? Wait until you see the movement rules.

Each player controls pieces with different geometric shapes, and each shape dictates how it moves. Squares are the horizontal and vertical workers; diamonds are the diagonal specialists; triangles are curious, as they move forward diagonally but retreat in a straight line; and circles are the 'wildcards', capable of moving in any direction. This asymmetry creates a dynamic puzzle where you must plan each piece's route to avoid blocking your own path.

The highlight of Traverse is the jumping mechanism. Similar to Checkers or Chinese Checkers, you can jump over pieces (whether they are yours or your opponent's) to cross the board faster. Even better: if you can chain valid jumps together, you can make several moves in a single turn, creating explosive plays that completely shift the game's momentum. There is no capturing, so the total focus is on the race and positioning.

It's a duel of efficiency and logic, where the player who best manages their piece flow wins. With the Mensa Select endorsement, the game proves that simple rules can hide surprising tactical depth, making every match an exercise in geometry and anticipation. It's a perfect blend of a race game and an abstract puzzle, challenging you to optimize every single move to reach the finish line first.