Looking to spice up your family game night? Try Carcassonne! Simple to learn, but never the same game twice!
Description: This is a European-style tile-laying game that plays reasonably quickly (~30-40 minutes) and is usually manageable for younger audiences (8+, though you might consider removing the farmers from play for the younger audiences to keep it simple!). Gameplay requires a combination of strategy and luck, and is different every game. There are available expansion sets to add new elements, but we'd recommend starting with just the base set until you are comfortable with the game rules.
Description: This is a European-style tile-laying game that plays reasonably quickly (~30-40 minutes) and is usually manageable for younger audiences (8+, though you might consider removing the farmers from play for the younger audiences to keep it simple!). Gameplay requires a combination of strategy and luck, and is different every game. There are available expansion sets to add new elements, but we'd recommend starting with just the base set until you are comfortable with the game rules.
Each turn, the player draws a tile and lays it according to the rules and together the tiles build a map with castles, fields, roads and monasteries, each of which can be 'claimed' for points. The rules are simple enough for non-gamers to pick up quickly and there's enough strategy and complexity to keep more advanced players interested, particularly if you add the expansion sets (the newer version comes with the river expansion included). The tiles are thick cardboard and the character “meeple†pieces are wooden. We've had this game for years and the pieces all last well with normal usage. This game is often a crowd-favorite and sure to offer a nice alternative to playing cards or party games for any family game night!
Michelle Says: In our family, Carcassonne is the go to board game! (The expansion sets make great great presents for Christine!). Even though we play Carcassone a lot, it has always been a personal favorite of mine. I have grown up with this game and its ability to entertain ages 8-80 is astounding. This is definitely something to have in your closet for those hot cocoa afternoons because it is not too complex, but it does take a fair amount of time to play. Personally the game itself is fun but is best with more players.  River expansion (included) | Christine Says: This is one of my all-time favorite board games and is the game that really got me into gaming. I love it's simplicity as far as the rules go, but within that simplicity is room for strategy and creativity. The expansion sets (particularly the one with the dragon!) add an extra layer of fun and I enjoy mixing and matching different sets to really change up the game-play. The game is easy for new players to learn which makes it ideal for game nights with friends. And, it is family-friendly without the need for math or literacy skills, but still provides plenty of opportunity for strategizing, planning, and thinking, which makes it ideal for parents and kids to play together! I think it is a good basic to have in any game closet and a great game for introducing people to the Euro Style genre in general. |
