Welcome to Ludology, an analytical discussion of the hows and whys of the world of board games. Rather than news and reviews, Ludology explores a variety of topics about games from a wider lens, as well as discuss game history, game design and game players.
We post a new Ludology episode every other week. In these episodes, hosts Erica Bouyouris and Sen-Foong Lim deep-dive into a single topic within game design, often with a well-regarded guest from the game industry. We generally focus on tabletop game design (mainly board games and RPGs), but we often pull in experts from all forms of games, from video games to escape rooms to slot machines.
On weeks where there is no flagship Ludology episode, we will alternate between two smaller mini-sodes. Erica and Sen are happy to announce that Sarah Shipp of Shippboard Games and Stephanie Campbell of TTRPGKids will be joining us for the next year, providing additional content between our longer episodes.
Sarah’s segment, Thinking Beyond Mechanisms, is a monthly feature that dives deeper into the other aspects of games beyond the dice and cards we’re all familiar with.
Stephanie’s segment, TTRPGKids, explores how parents and teachers can use role playing games with children in the home and in the classroom.
We hope you enjoy the additional content!
Our History
We aim for most Ludology episodes to be timeless, so you are welcome to explore our entire catalog. Most of it should age quite well. The podcast was started in 2011 by Geoff Engelstein and Ryan Sturm, with Mike Fitzgerald taking over for Ryan in 2015. Gil and Scott joined the show in 2017 when Mike stepped aside, and Emma joined in 2019 when Geoff ended his tenure as host. Emma left in 2021, and Erica and Sen joined us. Since then, Scott stepped down in 2022 and Gil will be hanging up his mic in 2023, leaving Erica and Sen to carry on this amazing legacy.
Erica and Sen are working to bring new voices to Ludology and have some great things to announce as gaming expands to include even more people!
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If you ask football fans what they are accustomed to in the annual rhythm of video game releases, one of their first answers will likely be EA FC, which is released every autumn. For many years, this genre has been split between EA’s domination and the now-fading Pro Evolution Soccer; however, 2025 could be remembered as the year that changed that.
That’s all because of Rematch, which is a new arcade-style game developed by Sloclap and envisions bringing something unique to the gaming world. Launched in June, this football game was stripped down, making it fast-paced, pick-up-and-play-fun. Instead, the game focuses on fluidity, flair, and feel.
The Escapist recaps
Rematchwas released in June 2025 and is available on PC and consoles.
For the genre, the game developed by Sloclap brings an arcade twist to it.
It has dropped all official licenses to prioritise its fluid gameplay, creative freedom, and, of course, its retro charm.
Updates for Rematch are already thought to be in development, with gameplay balancing and the addition of more modes.
Rematch has become a part of a growing shift away from the current hyper-realism in soccer video games.
Why Rematch matters now
As Rematchcould be seen as just another throwback title, it can become easy to dismiss it. It is fun for a weekend, and then there is a lack of staying power. The current soccer video game market is dominated by EA FC, so its timing couldn’t have been better. The simplicity of Rematch isn’t considered a limitation; it has become a positive, deliberate design choice.
Sloclap does double-down on a distinctive, stylized approach. From its exaggerated animation to its energetic match flow. You can see that every design choice embraces flair. Although shots are considered unpredictable, they remain satisfying, and the pace is full speed in the best way possible.
There may not be any microtransactions or an Ultimate Team for fans to get excited about, but it’s just plainly about football, and that’s what fans love about it the most.
The nostalgia factor
Rematch delivers arcade-style football with vibrant visuals. Image сredit: Steam
Fans love having a bit of nostalgia, and that, alongside its gameplay, is what makes it so compelling. Many players grew up with the likes of Pro Evo and Sensible Soccer, and will have a sense of similarity by just the way the game is. For its polish, it will be modern, but it feels as if it belongs to an era where fun came first, and realism came second.
Some may not like the fact that the big-name teams aren’t included, but for most, it ends up becoming a strength. Forget choosing between PSG and Manchester United, you’re choosing based on formation, kit colours, or even just pure vibes.
Rematch is designed for players to pick up and just have some fun, whereas EA FC relies on deep menus and team ratings, which can feel a little overwhelming.
This is the big question of whether a game like Rematch can remain and even thrive in the same category as EA FC. There is not really a simple answer to this; it is more complicated than it should be. It’s safe to say that EA FC will dominate commercially, but currently, there is a bigger audience for alternative soccer video games.
Especially games that offer excitement over the grind-heavy realism.
In 2025, EA FC has promised fans new features and an even further enhanced Career Mode. For this, it will draw attention for sure, but not every player is looking to spend 30 hours tweaking their tactics. Some will just want to have a fun kickabout.
Head-on, Rematch doesn’t compete with EA FC, but what it does offer is a completely different flavour entirely.
If you’re a fan of Rematch, then don’t worry, it is not just a one-off experiment. Slocap has confirmed that plans are in place for regular post-launch updates, improved AI, and an enhanced multiplayer mode. The lack of an annual cycle does seem to work in Rematch’s favour, allowing for a more flexible and focused development path.
Without any worries about licensing deals, Rematch has the pure flexibility to become whatever it wants to be; it will be purely shaped by its players, rather than any corporate partnerships.
An alternative worth trying
For many years now, soccer video games have only meant one thing, and that is EA FC. Even now, after it’s been rebranded from FIFA, the majority of the game does feel the same. Rematch, however, proves that there is a space for a different kind of soccer game, one that is more playful and focused on having fun.
Rematch doesn’t have to be a direct competition to EA FC, with its realism or plain star power. It values simplicity, quick enjoyment, and just pure arcade fun.
Ask The Escapist
When did Rematch launch?
Rematch launched in June 2025 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
When is the next EA FC coming out, and what new features does it have?
EA FC 26, if following previous years, is expected to come out in late September 2025, and will come with even better realistic crowd animations, updates to the Career Mode, and even cross-play improvements.
Will there be updates to Rematch?
Yes. Sloclap has announced that the game will receive regular updates like additional modes, gameplay tweaks, and the possibility of customization tools, too.
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Launching a new MMORPG against the long-established giants is a daunting prospect. World of Warcraft, FF14, Guild Wars 2, Runescape, Eve Online; the list goes on, making it a tough task to craft a fresh world that can attract and sustain a long-term community. Nine years since it was first announced, Ashes of Creation is steadily marching through its mammoth Alpha Two test period, with developer Intrepid Studios insistent on taking the time to get things right. With this in mind, it now confirms that the playtest’s next phase will start a little later than originally planned, but lays out just what improvements we can expect.
Creative director Steven Sharif has been quick and consistent to emphasize that he doesn’t consider Ashes of Creation Alpha 2 to be a game yet, but rather a testing environment. Each incremental stage ramps it closer to that final product, however, and to becoming something worthy of ranking among our best MMORPGs. The next big shift will come with the launch of Alpha 2 Phase 3, which was previously scheduled to start on Monday August 4, but Intrepid has now moved that date back by three weeks as it aims “to ensure phase three hits the quality bar it deserves.”
This extra time will allow for “continued iteration, polish, and testing,” Intrepid explains. It’s looking to further refine the new starting area, the Anvils, which “arrived a little hotter than anticipated.” The developer says it’s “not aiming for content parity with the Riverlands starting zone,” but wants to ensure that there’s a strong “golden path” to guide players through their early steps.
That means improvements to interior spaces, visual landmarks, environmental storytelling, and your introduction to systems such as pocket dungeons and node progression. Intrepid adds that it’s also “streamlining and enriching the early-game experience for newcomers” across both the Riverlands and the Anvils to ensure first-time players have the best opening hours possible.
Level-four nodes are a big part of the incoming update, as they’ll allow the creation of full-scale towns in each region. Intrepid calls it “a major step forward in shaping the world through player agency and fostering healthy competition between nodes as they specialize and evolve. However, the team needs additional time to “smooth out the level-four layout, enhance environmental set dressing, and improve UI elements related to Vassalship.”
As previously discussed, both the economy and stats are being fairly dramatically overhauled; Intrepid says it intends to continue this rework based on recent feedback, and will use the extra time to test and tune these systems via the PTR (public test realm). It’s also working on further backend optimization “to support larger, more stable play environments,” and adds that the extra development time will also allow for enhancements to ambience, lighting, audio, and “navigation throughout key regions of the Anvils.”
While you’ll have to wait a while longer for the update, Intrepid notes that the PTR, which is now accessible to all players who have Alpha 2 access, will remain available until the launch of Phase 3. “As with any active development, delays happen,” Sharif concludes, “We will stay focused on our outstanding work outlined above and provide updates as we continue with our PTR testing. Your support, passion, and time mean everything to us. We’re building Ashes of Creation together, and it’s your feedback that shapes each step forward.”
Ashes of Creation Alpha 2 Phase 3 will start on Tuesday August 26, 2025. If you want to join, you’ll need a key, which begins at $100 and includes future beta access, a month of game time, and $15 worth of Ashes of Creation’s in-game marketplace currency, Embers.
If you’re looking for something closer to completion, we’ve rounded up the best new MMOs in 2025. To truly immerse yourself in their worlds, take a look through our recommendations on the best gaming headset for PC.
You can follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides. We’ve also got a vibrant community Discord server, where you can chat about this story with members of the team and fellow readers.
If you’re a fan of Gigantamax Pokémon, you’re in for a treat. Pokémon GO Fest 2025: Max Finale is lined up for August, offering players a slew of powerful encounters with the biggest critters in the game.
To help you prepare for this massive Pokémon event, here’s a complete guide to Max Finale, including everything that you can expect to see and the best events to keep an eye out for during the weekend.
The Escapist recaps
Pokémon GO Fest 2025: Max Finale will take place from August 23-24, 2025, running from 10 AM til 6 PM local time.
Trainers can prepare by taking part in the Dark Skies festivities during the weekdays prior.
The event will feature a roster of Gigantamax Pokémon alongside Eternamax Eternatus
Dynamax Pokémon may also appear at Power Spots during the event and will pop up during Dark Skies.
Raids will feature Crowned Shield Zamazenta and Crowned Sword Zacian, as well as costumed event critters.
New field research and wild encounters will be available for players, alongside helpful rewards and resources.
Trainers can prepare for the Dark Skies week
The Galar starters are going to be everywhere in this event. Image credit: The Pokémon Company
While Max Finale is a weekend event, there’s still plenty to look forward to on the weekdays that precede it.
Running from August 18-23, starting and finishing at 10 AM local time, the week before Max Finale is called Dark Skies. It will be a Dynamax bonanza, featuring every Dynamax Pokémon that’s made an appearance in Pokémon GO. This includes beloved starters like Bulbasaur but also Legendaries like Raicou, Suicune, and Entei.
There’ll also be plenty for raid fans to tear into, with both Zacian and Zamazenta appearing in 5-star raids throughout the week.
Also, Crowned Sword Zacian will appear on Thursday, August 21, from 6 PM until 7 PM, and Crowned Shield Zamazenta will appear at the same time on Friday, August 22.
Galarian Farfetch’d and Galarian Weezing will take the 3-star spot, while Sinistea will fill in the 1-star raid space.
Alongside the raids, trainers will see increased spawns for the Galar starters, Skwovet, and Wooloo. There’ll also be timed research to complete, offering Galar starter encounters and candy for both Zacian and Zamazenta, along with event bonuses that make it easier to take part at Power Spots.
Make sure you spend some time exploring during Dark Skies to prepare for Max Finale, and use the special code GOFESTMAX to claim timed research that’ll reward you with an encounter for any of the Galar starters in Gigantamax form.
Dark Skies should be a fun week, especially for fans of the Galarian region, but Max Finale is set to blow it out of the water.
Power Spots will be packed with Pokémon
Some of the most memorable critter designs can be seen in the Gigantamax roster. Image credit: The Pokémon Company
One of the most exciting things about the Max Finale weekend is that every Gigantamax Pokémon ever seen in Pokémon GO will be popping up at Power Spots.
This includes the Galarian starters, Lapras, Gengar, and other fan-favorites. The first ‘mon on the schedule is Gigantamax Lapras (10 AM August 23) and the final one is Gigantamax Toxtricity (4 PM August 24) in its Low Key form.
Eternamax Eternatus will also be making an appearance at Power Spots throughout the weekend. You’ll be able to catch a regular Eternatus via the PokémonGO Pass, but sadly, the Eternamax version will not be catchable.
It should still be an entertaining fight, though, and it’ll provide buckets of essential Eternatus candy to add to your item bag.
Two iconic Legendaries will be popping up in raids
These ferocious Legendaries will be tricky to beat. Image Credit: The Pokémon Company
During the Max Finale weekend, players will be able to take on Crowned Sword Zacian and Crowned Shield Zamazenta in 5-star raids. There’s even a chance of finding a Shiny variant of these iconic Legendaries as per the official site.
Costume collectors will be delighted with the other raids on offer. 3-star raids will feature Falinks in Training, which is a regular Falinks in a cute train costume. 1-star raids will feature Dapper Pikachu with red, blue, or yellow accents.
Players in rural locations will be able to take advantage of the remote raid cap being removed throughout the weekend.
Max Finale will be busy and lucrative
This upcoming event should be action-packed for both new and veteran players.While the Gigantamax critters and the Crowned raids will be the stars, the wild encounters are also worth paying attention to.
The Galar starters and the Kanto starters will have an increased chance of showing up, alongside Skwovet and Wooloo.
There’s also a chance of finding these critters:
Beldum
Caterpie
Chansey
Darumaka
Falinks
Gastly
Sableye
Shuckle
Kabuto, Omanyte, and Trubbish will also appear as field research encounters.
Finally, event bonuses will be live from 12 AM to 11:59 PM local time over the weekend.
These will provide double candy from catching Pokémon and double the chance of finding XL candy from catching Pokémon, along with a collection limit boost for Max Particles. Power Spots will also show up and refresh more frequently.
Pokémon GO Fest 2025: Max Finale is gearing up to be one of the most exciting events so far this year, with plenty of goodies on offer and iconic Pokémon to encounter. Make sure to take part in Dark Skies during the week days preceding the event to get the most out of the weekend.
Ask The Escapist
Is Pokémon GO Fest 2025: Max Finale an in-person event?
This is an event that you can take part in by exploring your local area! During the event times, make sure to head out and battle at the nearby Gyms or Power Spots to take part.
Are there paid passes for this Pokémon GO event?
Yes, trainers who wish to nab extra rewards can purchase the GO Pass Deluxe: Max Finale boxes on the official web store – there are three to choose from, each offering further items and goodies to unlock during the event.
Can you catch Eternamax Eternatus during Max Finale?
Unfortunately, the Pokémon GO site notes that Eternamax Eternatus will not be available for capture after trainers beat it in a Max Battle. They will get plenty of Eternatus Candy and Eternatus Candy XL for their GO Pass Eternatus, though.
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I played Magic about 24 years ago and then stopped. I am interested in getting re-engaged but was wondering if I could still play the older version of the game which had far fewer number of cards and was easier. The version I remember had 5 different colors (Black, White, Green, Red and Blue). On line you would choose a color and build your deck from a random selection of the cars associated with that specific color. Does that version still exist somewhere?
Former Hypixel Studios co-founder Simon Collins-Laflamme doesn’t appear to have yet secured the rights to canceled Minecraft contender Hytale, which he sold along with the developer to Riot Games in 2020, but that hasn’t stopped him from making big plans for its return. In a recent flurry of posts to X, he lays out a potential roadmap, talks about hiring devs, and even suggests what his release model will look like, despite previously cautioning that any potential deal would be extremely unlikely.
Built by a studio born from one of the most popular Minecraft servers, Hytale was a promising contender to Minecraft’s crown. Unfortunately, its road to claim a place among our best sandbox games was stopped in its tracks when Hypixel Studios announced in June that Riot Games had called an end to development, and would be winding down the studio over the coming months. Shortly after that, Collins-Laflamme said he would “reach out” to the League of Legends and Valorant maker about picking the reins back up.
Despite cautioning that the chances of a successful return “are next to impossible,” Collins-Laflamme has continued to talk about the project in detail, with a particularly eager rush of conversations in the past day. Indeed, when asked “how things are moving along” in a #SaveHytale thread on X, he even responds, “I won’t say much as it could potentially hurt the process. Will share details the minute I can.”
While he’s not talking about the actual purchase discussions, Collins-Laflamme hasn’t been shy about laying out his potential plans, were he to get his hands back on the project. He emphasizes that he’d want to release something as soon as possible to raise funds. “It’s going to probably feel barebones day one but the exploration is going to be great. We would then spend many years improving the experience, of course.”
Having previously stated that he would be willing to invest up to $25 million towards development, Collins-Laflamme now adds, “I would probably need to burn one or two mil max before release, then have [the] income of the early access fund the development. If things get tough I can cover until it gets better between updates.” He suggests a lower-price entry version “for people who can’t afford or simply want to try it before upgrading,” along with the potential for supporter or founder packs for those looking to support at a higher tier.
As for the potential roadmap, Collins-Laflamme muses, “Survival and/or creative would be released first, just to get Hytale out ASAP. Minigames require a bit of infrastructure hardware work so it would take a bit of time. I don’t want to make people wait; [we’ve] got to break the release curse. Later on, [an] adventure (story) mode, this would have a more complete ‘survival’ loop with more content.”
Speaking about proximity-based voice chat, he also notes, “Today I had a chat with one of my developers that used to work on Hytale and he thinks it’s possible to add it (back) in. I will personally make sure it happens, especially in time for minigames, this could be hilarious and chaotic, love it. Opens the door for new minigame genres as well.” Collins-Laflamme then pauses briefly before restating, “If I get to buy the IP of course!”
It’s certainly a lot of hypothesizing for a deal that may still not happen, but it’s at least clear that Collins-Laflamme is serious about delivering the project he helped to create. He says he will “do my best to add a clause in a letter of intent that I can say publicly [that] something is being negotiated, so I can start actively hiring before the deal closes.” For now, we’ll just have to wait and see how the situation develops, but I’d certainly love this to become a surprise success story.
In the meantime, take a look through the best Minecraft texture packs in 2025 to give the original block-builder a fresh coat of paint, or try another of the best survival games on PC right now.
You can follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides. We’ve also got a vibrant community Discord server, where you can chat about this story with members of the team and fellow readers.
As this question is from 2010 and many new versions have been released since, It seems worth compiling a list of versions and notable differences. This answer can then easily be edited by anyone as more version get released. Please anyone feel free to edit/update this. I have not covered strengths and weaknesses as this is completely subjective.
I will list for each map its player count, number of pieces players start with (or other equivalent), rules for drawing tickets, special rules, bonus scoring rules. If a rule is slightly different to base game (ie with the double routes or removing tickets from the game).
For any Special Rules I will list just “ferries, tunnels” or other brief description of special rules rather than explaining every special rule in full.
Ticket To Ride (2004)
Players : 2-5
Starting pieces: 45
Starting tickets: Draw 3 keep at least 2
Tickets during game : Draw 3 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : None
Bonus Scoring : 10 Points for longest route
Ticket To Ride: Europe (2005)
Players : 2-5
Starting pieces: 45
Starting tickets: Draw 1 Long Ticket and 3 Normal tickets keep at least 2. Untaken starting tickets are removed from the game.
Tickets during game : Draw 3 keep at least 1. Untaken tickets placed at bottom of deck.
Special Rules : Ferries. Tunnels.
Bonus Scoring : 10 Points for longest route
Ticket To Ride: Marklin (2006)
Players : 2-5
Starting pieces: 45
Starting tickets: Draw 4 keep at least 2. Choose how many to take from a long and short ticket deck
Tickets during game : Draw 4 keep at least 1. Choose how many to take from each deck
Special Rules : Passengers/merchandise. The +4 locomotive. Tickets linking to countries.
Bonus Scoring : 10 Points for most completed tickets.
Ticket To Ride: Switzerland (2007)
Players : 2-3
Starting pieces: 40
Starting tickets: Draw 5 keep at least 2. Untaken tickets removed from the game
Tickets during game : Draw 3 keep at least 1. Untaken tickets removed from the game
Special Rules : Locos are Tunnel Cards and no restrictions on taking them. Tunnels. Tickets linking countrys. Double routes can be taken 3 player.
Bonus Scoring : 10 Points for longest route..
Ticket To Ride: Nordic Countries (2007)
Players : 2-3
Starting pieces: 45
Starting tickets: Draw 5 keep at least 2. Untaken tickets removed from game.
Tickets during game : Draw 3 keep at least 1. Untaken tickets removed from game.
Special Rules : No restriction on taking face up locomotives, Tunnels, Ferries, Double routes can be used with 3 players. Can use 4 cards as a loco on a specific route.
Bonus Scoring : 10 Points for most completed tickets.
Ticket To Ride: Legendary Asia (2011)
Players : 2-5
Starting pieces: 45
Starting tickets: Draw 1 Long Ticket and 3 Normal tickets keep at least 2. Untaken starting tickets are removed from the game.
Tickets during game : Draw 3 keep at least 1. untaken tickets to bottom of deck.
Special Rules : Ferries, Mountains
Bonus Scoring : 10 points for most connected cities.
Ticket To Ride: Team Asia (2011)
Players : 2-6 playing in pairs
Starting pieces: 27 trains per player matching colour of teammate.
Starting tickets: Draw 5 keep at least 3 per player.
Tickets during game : Draw 4 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Team play with a mixture of shared/private wagons/tickets.
Bonus Scoring : 10 points for team with longest route. 10 points for team with most completed tickets.
Ticket To Ride: India (2011)
Players : 2-4
Starting pieces: 45
Starting tickets: Draw 4 keep at least 2.
Tickets during game : Draw 3 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Ferries
Bonus Scoring : 10 point for longest route. Mandala Ticket Bonuses (completing a ticket twice with 2 separate routes).
Ticket To Ride: Deutschland (2012)
Players : 2-4
Starting pieces: 45
Starting tickets: Draw 4 keep at least 2.
Tickets during game : Draw 3 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Ferries
Bonus Scoring : 10 point for longest route. Mandala Ticket Bonuses (completing a ticket twice with 2 separate routes).
Ticket To Ride: The Heart Of Africa (2012)
Players : 2-5
Starting pieces: 45
Starting tickets: Draw 4 keep at least 2.
Tickets during game : Draw 4 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Terrain Cards allowing to double points when claiming a route.
Bonus Scoring : 10 Points for most completed tickets.
Ticket To Ride: Nederland (2013)
Players : 2-5
Starting pieces: 40
Starting tickets: Draw 5 keep at least 3.
Tickets during game : Draw 4 keep at least 1. untaken tickets form a FACE UP discard pile.
Special Rules : Double routes in use even at 2 players. Toll Routes. A neutral player for 2 player games.
Bonus Scoring : variable bonus points for remaining Toll Tokens.
Ticket To Ride: United Kingdom (2015)
Players : 2-4
Starting pieces: 35
Starting tickets: Draw 5 keep at least 3.
Tickets during game : Draw 3 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Players start with a locomotive. any 4 cards can be used as a locomotive. Face up wagons are not wiped if 3 are locomotives. Ferries. Technology cards (purchased with Locomotives)
Bonus Scoring : No regular end game bonuses but some technologies provide end game bonuses.
Ticket To Ride: Pennsylvania (2015)
Players : 2-5
Starting pieces: 45
Starting tickets: Draw 5 keep at least 3.
Tickets during game : Draw 4 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Ferries. Stocks and Shares, special 2 player rules
Bonus Scoring : 15 points for most completed tickets. Points for stocks and shares.
Ticket To Ride: Poland (2019)
Players : 2-4
Starting pieces: 35
Starting tickets: Draw 4 keep at least 2.
Tickets during game : Draw 2 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Multi routes to countries usual able in all player counts. Other double routes follow usual rules
Bonus Scoring : Points collected during game for linking countries. No tickets go to countries.
Ticket To Ride: First Journey US(2017) / Europe 2018
Players : 2-4
Starting pieces: 20
Starting tickets: draw 2 keep both
Special Rules : These versions have simplified rules and a different maps. Players take wagons from top of deck. There is no face up selection. Each completed ticket is worth 1 point. First to 6 points wins. Players reveal completed tickets during the same and are instantly replaced. Players can take an action to discard both their unfinished tickets and draw new ones.
Bonus Scoring : A bonus point for connecting east/west sides of board
Ticket To Ride: Old West (2017)
Players : 2-6
Starting pieces: 40
Starting tickets: Draw 5 keep at least 3.
Tickets during game : Draw 4 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Ferries. Claimed routes MUST connect to your existing claimed routes. Control Of cities with city markers. Optional Alvin the Alien. (with different rules to Alvin and Dexter expansion)
Bonus Scoring : 15 points for most completed tickets. 10 points for longest route.
Ticket To Ride: Rails And Sails (2018)
Players : 2-5
Starting pieces: 20 trains and 40 ships suggestion but players can vary this.
Starting tickets: Draw 5 keep at least 3.
Tickets during game : Draw 4 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Two separate piece types and cards for trains and ships. Piece exchanging. harbours, tour tickets.
Bonus Scoring : Points given for routes connected to players harbours.
Ticket To Ride: Great Lakes (2018)
Players : 2-5
Starting pieces: 22 trains and 28 ships suggestion but players can vary this.
Starting tickets: Draw 5 keep at least 3.
Tickets during game : Draw 4 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Two separate piece types and cards for trains and ships. Piece exchanging. harbours.
Bonus Scoring : Points given for routes connected to players harbours.
Ticket To Ride: New York (2018)
Players : 2-4
Starting pieces: 15
Starting tickets: Draw 2 keep at least 1.
Tickets during game : Draw 2 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Double Routes claimable in a 3 player game.
Bonus Scoring : Points for connected tourist destinations.
Ticket To Ride: Japan (2019)
Players : 2-5
Starting pieces: 20 per player (plus 16 shared Bullet Train markers)
Starting tickets: Draw 4 keep at least 2.
Tickets during game : Draw 3 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Bullet Train useable by all players. Game end triggers in usual way and if 2 or fewer bullet train pieces are left in supply.
Bonus Scoring : variable bonus point for contributing to Bullet train.
Ticket To Ride: Italy (2019)
Players : 2-5
Starting pieces: 45
Starting tickets: Draw 5 keep at least 3.
Tickets during game : Draw 4 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Tickets to zones. Ferry card
Bonus Scoring : Points for connecting different zones to your network.
Bonus Scoring : variable bonus point for contributing to Bullet train.
Ticket To Ride: Amsterdam (2019)
Players : 2-4
Starting pieces: 17
Starting tickets: Draw 2 keep at least 1.
Tickets during game : Draw 2 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Double Routes claimable in a 3 player game. some routes give merchandise cards.
Bonus Scoring : Points for majorities of merchandise cards.
Ticket To Ride: Stay At Home (2020)
Players : 2-4
Starting pieces: 32
Starting tickets: draw 2 personal “Family” tickets and 2 from normal deck. Keep at least 2. Untaken tickets removed from the game
Tickets during game : Draw 3 keep at least 1.
Special Rules : Double routes used in 3 players games. tickets personal to players ‘character’. ‘Family routes’ which can be built in sections and used by multiple players.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is the next high-profile Soulslike game and will be released on July 24, 2025. Like Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty – another Soulslike, Wuchang is set in ancient China and will deal with events and figures from the Three Kingdoms period of history. However, the game will also sprinkle some supernatural shenanigans into the mix.
The issue is, in 2025, Soulslike games seem to be coming out every month, and not all of them stand up to Dark Souls when it comes to quality. So, while I get ready to play Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, I realise that one thing is for certain in 2025: the Soulslike genre is becoming thoroughly saturated – and I worry where it’s going to fit in.
The Escapist recaps
The Wuchang: Fallen Feathers release date is today (July 24, 2025).
The game is set during the Three Kingdoms period of Ancient China.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a traditional Soulslike game.
The new Madness system is original and changes everything.
It will not be set in an open world like Elden Ring was.
Souled Out
Phantom Blade Zero is just one of the many upcoming Soulslike games on the horizon. Image credit: S-Game
Now, there was a time when a new Soulslike game made me excited, but now I find myself rolling my eyes at my favourite genre, and with a note of exhaustion, saying, “Another one?” After all, let’s not forget, these games are never easy and often represent significant time sinks.
But I’ve reached the point where I find that I’ve developed a backlog of them to finish, and while I hate to admit it, some of them are starting to feel a bit too similar to each other, especially when it comes to setting and style.
Don’t get me wrong, every time I see a trailer for one of these games, I get hyped. It could be at a State of Play, Summer Games Fest, or any other event. But once I’ve seen a few more trailers for other games that look remarkably similar, my hype is replaced by fatigue, and my excitement becomes diluted.
In terms of upcoming Soulslikes, Phantom Blade Zero, Where Winds Meet, Lost Soul Aside, and Tides of Annihilation all have me as intrigued as Wuchang: Fallen Feathers does, but it’s possible to become full at even the most delicious and sumptuous buffet.
It doesn’t help that nearly every third-person action game seems to be labeled as a Soulslike today, even when it isn’t. For example, sure, Stellar Blade borrowed some mechanics from the genre, but it felt more like NieR or Bayonetta than Dark Souls.
So, in mid-2025, I need something more from my Soulslikes if they are to hold my attention, and while solid gameplay is a must, I find myself valuing creativity and originality more. For me, this is what will be the difference maker for Wuchang: Fallen Feathers.
I know I’ll play it through at least once, but will I stick around and play New Game Plus or purchase DLC, or will I uninstall it forever once the credits roll?
This year has already seen a plethora of Soulslikes with games like AI Limit and The First Berserker: Khazan both standing out to me, but not because both were excellent, but how they compared to each other.
AI Limit was a competent Souls clone. It copied FromSoftware’s formula to the letter, even sprinkling in some original ideas, but it wasn’t enough to feel fresh. If it had been released ten years ago, then it may have won me over, but simply copy and pasting FromSoft’s template has been done to death by now; players are starting to notice.
In contrast, The First Berserker: Khazan used the Bloodborne template as a foundation, but built out from there to become something new. While the game was unmistakably a Soulslike, it didn’t feel the need to conform to the rules of the genre and boldly blazed its own trail.
This is what Wuchang: Fallen Feathers needs to get right if it’s going to move the needle. Black Myth: Wukong, another game based on Chinese mythology, also understood this. It arguably did it so well that its status as a Soulslike is questionable.
Back when Demon’sSouls and Dark Souls came out, what made FromSoftware’s games so beloved was that they ignored many of the conventions of modern games and just did their own thing. There was minimal hand-holding and something distinctly old-school about them. It’s ironic, then, that games that rejected modern gaming conventions have now become modern gaming conventions.
They were always going to spawn imitators, and for fans of the genre, for a while, this was a good thing, especially when those games ended up being as excellent as Nioh, Lies of P, and Lords of the Fallen. While these games borrowed heavily from FromSoftware’s formula, in 2025, I fear that even these classics wouldn’t be enough to pass the originality test.
A Touch of Madness
The madness system could be the thing that helps Wuchang: Fallen Feathers to stand out. Image credit: Steam
This is even more true after Elden Ring took Dark Souls and brought it into the light of an open world. After Elden Ring, any game following the old Souls template now feels somewhat antiquated – another challenge Wuchang: Fallen Feathers has to overcome.
But here’s why I’m not letting my genre fatigue put me off playing Wuchang, and why I’m still excited for it: the game’s Madness system. This feels like a truly innovative feature and could be a game-changer when it comes to the Soulslike genre. Here’s how it works:
As Wuchang herself progresses through the map, slaying enemies, her Madness increases. Now, at first, this is a good thing as it allows her to unlock new moves and start dealing more damage, but it also makes Wuchang somewhat of a glass cannon. While she can deal more damage, she also becomes much more susceptible to it, increasing the risk versus reward dynamic.
And that’s not all. If Wuchang dies in this state, then her Madness spawns a clone of her that stalks the map and gatekeeps the spot where she died, making progression even harder. So not only do players need to overcome the obstacle or enemy that originally killed them, they also have to deal with a thoroughly antagonistic clone of themselves – one that also possesses all the skills and items they do.
As a Souls games veteran, this is something that piques my interest because it feels like a love letter to both the “learn by death” and invasion mechanics from the original Souls games, essentially remixing these ideas into something even more challenging.
The concept of being hunted by my vengeful spirit is a novel one, and I’m all in with this idea. So much so, I’m preparing to “git gud” all over again. I want Soulslike games to try and hurt me, and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers looks like it’s going to do exactly that.
Ask The Escapist
Does Wuchang: Fallen Feathers feature multiplayer?
No. Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a single-player experience only. It doesn’t feature any co-op multiplayer or PvP gameplay, such as invasions. However, players can fight an avatar of themselves if they die in the Madness state.
Is Wuchang: Fallen Feathers a Soulslike?
Yes, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is a traditional Soulslike experience. However, it doesn’t feature invasions or co-op gameplay like FromSoftware’s games did.
Is Wuchang: Fallen Feathers set in an open world?
No, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers features a large interconnected world, but it’s not an open-world game like Elden Ring. It’s closer to games like Dark Souls, Nioh, and Wu Long: Fallen Dynasty when it comes to exploration.
Is Wuchang: Fallen Feathers connected to any other game?
No, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers is an original adventure and is not connected to any other game. While the game has a similar setting to Wu Long: Fallen Dynasty and Black Myth: Wukong, it isn’t a sequel to any of those games.
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