Carcassonne

The Perfect Game for New Players and Old Gamers

This is a game we recommend anyone should have on their bookshelves. We think it's something of a "new classic" - like the ones you grew up with, but more fun to play (and faster too!). Every turn starts with picking up a random tile, and matching it to what's already on the table (matching roads to roads, cities to cities, etc) - building the land of Carcassonne (and the board) as you go. Then place a follower piece on the tile, claiming the cities, roads, fields or monasteries as your own. On your next turn, add to what you've claimed to grow points or start a new claim. Win the game by having the most points at the end!

What's nice about this game is that it's only got a few rules, so people who haven't played games in a long time can learn it quickly and jump right in. But that doesn't mean it gets boring. There's a subtle strategy to Carcassonne that long-time gamers will appreciate. And every time you play it's different, so it doesn't get boring and no one strategy always works the same way.

Named for the southern city in France that was routinely conquered by different rulers, this game recreates the historical open fields and hills, allowing players to build the roads, cities and monasteries as they play - and whichever conquering player owns the greatest dominion, is the ruler of Carcassonne.

This base game also comes with The River expansion, and there are more expansions to try that add different pieces, new rules, and interesting challenges to keep the game dynamic and fun.

All the Little Details

• # Players: 2-5
• Duration: 45 minutes
• Publisher: Rio Grande Games
• Awards Won: Spiel des Jahres 2001, Deutscher Spiele Preis 2001
• Online Price: $23.06