Already available are Attika, Samurai, Alexandros and Corsari, as is the next release from Phalanx Games, Hector and Achilles.
Circus Flohcati, Seven Sigels, and the re-release of Torres will be ready in early summer; the re-release of Tikal is due in the fall. Torres will be printed with new graphics from Franz Vohwinkel.
San Juan, the card game based on the board game Puerto Rico, is scheduled to be available in late March.
Rio Grande also announced five new games scheduled for release in March and April: Goa from Rudiger Dorn, St. Petersburg from first-time designer Michael Tummelhofer, Marco Polo from Reiner Knizia, and Power Grid from Friedemann Friese.
5th Avenue from Wilko Manz is scheduled for late April.
Master Thieves, a large wooden game in an even larger wooden box, will be released this summer.
Company head Jay Tummelson reports that he has "made some important changes" to the Bohnanza Expansion, so that game has been delayed until the fall of 2004.
Following are summaries of some of Rio Grande's upcoming games, provided by the company:
Corsari
The players are pirate captains working hard to recruit the best crews for their ships. Players try to collect a complete crew of 11 pirates, but each must recruit from only two groups to keep fights on their ships to a minimum. Players also get credit for including prisoners in their crews. When the ships set sail, players lose points for pirates that do not belong.
2 to 4 players; ages 8 and up; 30 minutes; designer: Leo Colovini.
Alexandros
Alexander moves back and forth across Asia Minor, conquering the land as he passes. To bring peace to these newly conquered lands and to reward his generals, he gives them control of the new lands. The generals establish administration over the lands and levy taxes on the people living there. Each general tries to acquire the most productive lands for himself. With more productive lands, the general can levy higher taxes, show his worth to Alexander, and win the game.
2 to 4 players, ages 12 and up; 60 minutes; designer: Leo Colovini.
Ricochet Robots
This new release can be played on its own or added to the original version as an expansion to give you more ways to play. Be the first to find the best routes for the robots to their targets and you will be the winner. This new version also includes a 5th black robot to add variety to the game.
1 or more players; ages 10 and up; length: 45 to 60 minutes; designer: Alex Randolph.
Reiner Knizia's Samurai
Each player has an identical force of warriors, priests, and peasants to use to gain control of the important power figures of Old Japan. The players deploy their forces to the spaces around the power figures. When a figure is surrounded, it is captured by the player with the strongest sympathetic force. To win, a player must gain dominance with one of the powers while getting better support from the other powers than the other players. With these goals, it takes careful planning and a good strategy to win this great game.
2 to 4 players; ages 10 and up; length: 45 to 60 minutes; designer: Reiner Knizia.
Hector & Achilles
The Trojan War is a colorful, exciting and fast playing cardgame for 2 players in the times chanted by Homer. One player leads the Trojan army, the other the Achaean army. In a series of battles the players try to beat their opponent. Famous heroes of the Iliad are helping them achieving their aim. Hector and Achilles includes 108 playing cards (96 army cards, 12 hero cards), 2 gameboards, 19 game pieces (6 divine favor markers, 6 shame markers, 6 fate tiles, 1 attacker marker), and 1 rules booklet. 2 players; ages 10 and up; length: 30 minutes; designer: Leo Colovini.
Goa
At the beginning of the 16th century: beautiful beaches, wonderful climate, and one of the most important trading cities in the world. Competing companies trade with spices and send their colonists into the world and invest their money. Of most importance is how you manage your spices to grow a successful company: should you build more effective ships? Build more effective plantations? Attract more colonists? The best strategy is the one that creates the most successful business. Goa: wealth and glory, but not without risk!
2 to 5 players; ages 10 and up; length: 45-60 minutes; designer: Rudiger Dorn.
