NAKASENDO is proper modern board game design!

About Nakasendo, from BoardGameGeek:

Nakasendo is a strategic tile-laying game inspired by the historic route that connected Edo (modern-day Tokyo) to Kyoto during Japan's Edo period. Build your own journey between Tsumago and Magome by placing path tiles, adding discoveries, and shaping the most harmonious route through mountains, cedar forests, and ancient post towns. Along the way, seasonal events will bring snow and bears onto the trail, forcing you to adapt your plans and rethink your scoring opportunities. Careful planning is essential, as intermediate scoring conditions change throughout the game and every decision can influence the final outcome. At the end of the journey, only the most rewarding path will lead to victory. -description from the publisher