| About Board Games 2000 Holiday Gift Guide | |
by Erik Arneson
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Aladdin's Dragons
Rio Grande Games
by Richard Breese
3 to 5 players
Ages 10 and up
The Game of the Year, according to Games magazine. Learn more in this feature, which includes an interview with the designer. $28 to $40.
Cartagena
Rio Grande Games
by Leo Colovini
2 to 5 players
Ages 8 and up
This game has won raves from a number of gamers, including the two who have posted reviews at Funagain Games. Each player is trying to have his team of six pirates escape from the fortress of Cartagena. You move forward by playing cards; you earn cards by moving backwards. Simple rules and deep gameplay. $17 to $25.
Cosmic Encounter
Avalon Hill
by Peter Olotka and others
2 to 4 players
Ages 12 and up
Players lead colonization efforts in this modern classic, a board game that many say opened their eyes to the possibility of great themed strategy games. The object is to colonize your opponents' planetary systems; the first player to have five colonies on outside planets wins. This release (Cosmic Encounter was originally released in the 1970s) is wonderfully done with excellent components. $32 to $40.
Java
Rio Grande Games
by Wolfgang Kramer and Michael Kiesling
2 to 4 players
Ages 12 and up
From the same team that designed the award-winning Torres and Tikal, Java finds players competing to develop the island of Java. Numerous gamers have said this game combines the best aspects of Torres and Tikal, creating an exceptionally strong strategy game that also rewards good tactical players. $25 to $35.
Lord of the Rings
Hasbro
by Reiner Knizia
2 to 5 players
Ages 10 and up
An amazing game, cooperative in nature -- but all of the players are fighting against Sauron. Tough decisions at nearly every turn, a theme that is captured nearly flawlessly... I am extremely impressed with Lord of the Rings. The game comes with five boards (one scoring board and four playing boards), and you play the hobbits as they work to destroy the ring before Sauron puts an end to their plans. At Funagain Games, 9 out of 10 reviewers gave the game a five-star rating (the highest), and the tenth gave it four stars. If you enjoy the Lord of the Rings novels, it's a must buy. Even if you don't, it's a wonderful gaming experience unlike anything else I've tried. $30 to $35.
Smuggle
INPA TV Alternatives
by Charlie Inman
2 to 6 players
Ages 8 and up
The game certainly oversells itself by claiming (as it does on the smugglegame.com Web site) to be the "first innovative board game in more than a generation," as the last generation of gamers has probably seen more innovation than any other. But Smuggle is a well-designed game with some of the best components -- plastic airplanes, smugglers and suitcases -- that I've ever seen. The object of the game is to complete one of each of three "treasure routes." $25.
Tally Ho!
Rio Grande Games
by Rudi Hoffman
2 players
Ages 8 and up
One player is the hunters and lumberjacks; the other is the bears and foxes. A kind of themed Chess variant, as the pieces move like rooks and kings. It plays quickly (about 30 minutes) and does involve a significant amount of luck, since the initial board placement is random. $14 to $20.
Time Pirates
Rio Grande Games
by Alan Moon and Aaron Weissblum
3 to 6 players
Ages 10 and up
At the end of time, art lovers and collectors try to buy the best pieces of art and other collectibles. The players are the "time pirates" who venture back and forth through time to secure the most prized artifacts. Each turn challenges players to choose the best option: collecting more items, turning them in for points, or moving further away from the pesky "time police." Perhaps one of the most underestimated games of the year. $20 to $30.
Web of Power
Rio Grande Games
by Michael Schacht
3 to 5 players
Ages 12 and up
The Family Strategy Game of the Year, according to Games magazine. Learn more in this feature, which includes an interview with the designer. $20 to $30.
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