Ellis goes to Europe
Since Gordon has been good enough to stick his head above the parapet and tell everyone what his top ten games are, it's only fair I own up to my favourites, too. But I am going to claim the webmaster's privilege and offer two lists: euro games and wargames. (I see them as different parts of the same hobby.) I'll do the wargames soon. This piece lists my top ten euro games. And, no, they are not in order, either.
1. Kremlin
A game about power and politics. Use your influence wisely. Can you get your politician into power and keep him there long enough? Devious, bloody and funny.
2. El Grande
The theme is based on controlling regions in Spain. It's a thin veneer, but who cares? A clever combination of bidding, positioning, bluff, memory and timing.
3. 6-Tage Rennen
A simple cycling race game that everyone can play but only a few can play well. Crying out for a reprint.
4. Bohnanza
A game called 'Fields of Beans' would have dived. But that is what this cracking little card game tackles. Collect and display your sets, all while trading your way ahead of the pack.
5. Speed Circuit
A Formula one style racing game. You get to design your own car and then race it. It's hellishly frustrating to watch other racers screw you up. But a win is a thing of joy. Not as slick as Formul De. But the game is ripe for variants. And easy to play.
6. Take It Easy
Here you get to place one tile at a time on a grid. You score by making straight, uninterrupted lines of the same colour. You do not get all your tiles. But everyone gets the same choice. So you gamble and you hope. One of those rare games you can improve by playing solitaire because most of the time it's you against the tile draw. And it wins friends by being accessible to players at all levels even if kids will focus on colours not numbers.
7. Acquire
Classic Sid Sackson game of tile placing. The Hotel theme works well and the balance of luck and skill is excellent. Probably my first euro game.
8. Cosmic Encounter
Of all the games on the list this is the one I have played the least. A shame because this space conquest themed game of alliances, broken promises, and unique powers for each player deserves better. It inspired - I think that's the right word - Magic the Marketing, and has some great ideas that do make this fun, despite the bloodletting.
9. Euphrat & Tigris
Finely crafted tile laying game. The mechanics all come together to dispel the worries about the very abstract nature of the beats. In short, challenging and challenging. Did I say challenging?
10. Medici
Bloody wonderful classic bidding game. Corner the market in your chosen commodity. The four player version is fast but too dependent on the limited cards available. The six player version is fine and dandy.
My near misses are too many to list. But a special mention for Turf Master. Even if I cannot play it to save myself.
Ellis Simpson
25 March 2004
