The best game I played in 2022 was probably Northern Pacific (which was made by Tom Russel, the creator of Irish Gauge and Iberian Gauge.)
Northern Pacific is a surprising mix of train games (which are often long and complex) and a party game with surprising strategic space. You only have two options, but the impact on other players is real. However, as the game ends in 15 minutes, you don't get the same feelings of betrayal and anger that you'd get playing something like Chinatown.
I strongly recommend it. I also recommend Irish Gauge and Iberian Gauge, but those require a bit more of a time investment (1-2 hours) and Iberian Gauge is a bit too complicated for even well-behaved children under the age of 10 or so.
-edit- I just realized it was released in 2013, but I bought it this year so :shrug:.
Note that the designer is now named Amabel Holland. I think the boxes for Irish Gauge all use her old name, though; they were printed a little too early!
Northern Pacific is a surprising mix of train games (which are often long and complex) and a party game with surprising strategic space. You only have two options, but the impact on other players is real. However, as the game ends in 15 minutes, you don't get the same feelings of betrayal and anger that you'd get playing something like Chinatown.
I strongly recommend it. I also recommend Irish Gauge and Iberian Gauge, but those require a bit more of a time investment (1-2 hours) and Iberian Gauge is a bit too complicated for even well-behaved children under the age of 10 or so.
-edit- I just realized it was released in 2013, but I bought it this year so :shrug:.
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/138704/northern-pacific