We've had a very good time learning and playing this game, and recommend it as a great family activity.  The game's minimum age recommendation seems about right.  Some reviews mention how easy it is to pick up, but the typical initial reaction in our group was that it was a bit complicated.  That feeling was gone after about 15 minutes of play, so don't be discouraged at the start.  The object of the game is to score the most points through completing rail routes and destinations. The game offers the opportunity to either work on your own score or block scoring by opponents.  That enhances continuous and humorous interactions between players, and makes for a lot of fun.  We've also found that it takes a little longer to complete the game than noted in the instructions (maybe 2 hours?), but that time will shrink over time and play can always be halted sooner if so desired.