Imhotep

Super fun game! I really like this game. It is quite simple in concept but really deep in gameplay. This game was a Spiel Des Jahres (game of the year) award nominee for 2016 and though it didn't win I really feel that it should have. Such a fun game. The components are stellar, nice chunky cubes, solid cardboard tiles, and solid finish cards. The game itself revolves around simple decisions on ones turn they may, get more blocks, place blocks, or move boats. But those simple decisions can be extremely important. Boats can be shipped to one of several destinations and those locations will then score immediately, end of game, or end of round as specified. Scoring can be a bit fiddly however, the components are extremely well marked and with a minor amount of background knowledge one could probably play this game without even reading the rules. Scoring for tiles is clearly labeled on the tiles. I also feel that the game moves quickly and games are over in a flash making it easy to play another round or another game during game nights.This one is a real home run!

This game is simple to teach and enjoyable to play. Players take turns placing stone resources from their supply onto ships. Ships may hold between one and four resources, and may dock at a port to score points. Players may choose to dock a ship with an opponent's resources in order to manipulate the game. The game can have a 'take that' mechanic, although it doesn't really hurt players since all ports have positive benefits. The benefits just vary. This can be a light game, or a super strategic 'thinky' game. Players can decide.Since all that is required is placing a resource on a ship, children of all ages can play, but I would say children need to be at least 10 years old if you want to integrate some more serious strategic thinking.The game has a great expansion that allows for multiple ports (ways to score) that will change the game up a bit. The base game has double-sided ports for scoring. One side is basic, and the other side is advanced. Mixing and matching the ports provides for many replay-able opportunities.

This game is a fantastic addition to any collection, family or hobby even!This game is super simple to pick up but has lots of sneaky stragety. And by the end you feel like you have accomplished a lot... But it's only taken 30 min!For families this is a fun game that is nothing like the usual Mainstays clue or monopoly, and thats a great thing!For gamers this is a great start the game night game that is quick, fun, thematic, and has just enough competition you get the juices flowing without seeing red.

I like this game because it's simple to learn but difficult to master. Gameplay is really elegant with only one main game mechanic. It makes a great gateway game for this reason.The rest of my remarks are addressed to those who consider themselves experienced euro gamers. This is a worker-placement game with an interest mechanic for doing the placement (sailing the ships, but your opponent if free to sail any ship -- even ones that have your blocks on them). This is almost a pure game theorist's delight; there's a lot of: if I do this, then he'll do that, but if I don't, then he'll do that OTHER thing, and then... The only significant randomness in the game is the bonus cards, but they are dealt face up into a shared pool at the beginning of the round, so from that point on, it's just game theory. There is also randomness arising from changing which ships appear in each round, but I don't believe that affects play significantly.However, I think that replayability is somewhat limited, so that's why I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5. The game intends for the reversible sides of the building sites to add replayability, but they don't really change the overall strategy that much. I've played it with my kids (12 and 15) 3 or 4 times, and I can tell that if it weren't such a quick game -- we can play it in under 30 minutes -- there'd probably be little enthusiasm for playing it much more. But it makes a good "quickie" game when we don't have time for something more involved.Summary: For non-gamers, this is a great gateway to "euro" style games. For hard-core gamers: buy it as a filler game, but don't expect to base a game night around this one.

So you play the game by moving these really nice chunky bits of wood around on thematic little boats to building sites to score points. Just based on that description you probably wouldn't think much of this game, BUT it really is good. The game mechanics allow for a lot of strategic planning. You could move a ship full of your opponent's blocks to a site that is inefficient for them this denying points. You can reorder block delivery timing so you get more bonuses than your opponent on a given shipment. You could even leave you opponent with no play other than to move your block(s) to a site and score points for you. On top of that this game is really pleasant and nice to look at. The theme is beautifully held out in the components and game play.A very good little game that will be getting a good amount of replay in my collection.