If you want a deeply demanding data-tracking boardgame challenge, check out Arkham Horror: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkham_Horror

Usually about eighty minutes before all 1-8 players are ready to take their turns. There’s mechanical artificial intelligence, hundreds of cardboard chits, 1920s horror and role-playing. The game is cooperative – everyone is on the same team, facing down terrible eldar gods from the great beyond, etc. It’s a deep hoot.

Also, along those lines, Talisman: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talisman_%28board_game%29 – this is another game that feels so complicated it should have been a computer game. But then you play it for a short while and it’s so rich that you can have these hilarious competitive potion flinging contests with other players, etc.

If you want a deeply demanding data-tracking boardgame challenge, check out Arkham Horror: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkham_Horror

Usually about eighty minutes before all 1-8 players are ready to take their turns. There’s mechanical artificial intelligence, hundreds of cardboard chits, 1920s horror and role-playing. The game is cooperative – everyone is on the same team, facing down terrible eldar gods from the great beyond, etc. It’s a deep hoot.

Also, along those lines, Talisman: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talisman_%28board_... – this is another game that feels so complicated it should have been a computer game. But then you play it for a short while and it’s so rich that you can have these hilarious competitive potion flinging contests with other players, etc.

I also love Roborally, although it’s hard to get hold of. Fluxx is fun for a while, Aquarius is good for novice gamers, Zendo (although it doesn’t come as a boxed set any more) is great too.

Fun fact: with careful packing, the entirety of Settlers plus the 5-6 player expansion can fit in the (much smaller) box for the 5-6 player expansion. :-)

I also love Roborally, although it’s hard to get hold of. Fluxx is fun for a while, Aquarius is good for novice gamers, Zendo (although it doesn’t come as a boxed set any more) is great too.

Fun fact: with careful packing, the entirety of Settlers plus the 5-6 player expansion can fit in the (much smaller) box for the 5-6 player expansion. :-)

@ben: I’ve played Carcassonne on the Xbox (of all places) and it’s pretty interesting. I can see how the end-game scoring piece could be a bit complicated without a computer, but kind of fun just the same. For me, I’m not sure it has the same social aspect as Settlers — the trading keeps everything interesting, but nonetheless sounds like it’s worth checking out.

@sander: good suggestions!

@ben: I’ve played Carcassonne on the Xbox (of all places) and it’s pretty interesting. I can see how the end-game scoring piece could be a bit complicated without a computer, but kind of fun just the same. For me, I’m not sure it has the same social aspect as Settlers — the trading keeps everything interesting, but nonetheless sounds like it’s worth checking out.

@sander: good suggestions!

A two player game which I can highly recommend is Yinsh – http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/7854 . This gets mindbendingly fun (in an “ouch, my brain hurts, but I _think_ that you can’t stop me if I do _this_ *evil laughter*” kind of way) after the first couple of games when you grok some basic strategy. For 4 players, just bring two sets of Yinsh and rotate opponents after each game. (Or try one of the five other Project Gipf games; though imo Yinsh is the most rewarding of them all.)

Oh, and peruse the archives of Hixie’s weblog – he’s the boardgame master, and has many recommendations.

A two player game which I can highly recommend is Yinsh – http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/7854 . This gets mindbendingly fun (in an “ouch, my brain hurts, but I _think_ that you can’t stop me if I do _this_ *evil laughter*” kind of way) after the first couple of games when you grok some basic strategy. For 4 players, just bring two sets of Yinsh and rotate opponents after each game. (Or try one of the five other Project Gipf games; though imo Yinsh is the most rewarding of them all.)

Oh, and peruse the archives of Hixie’s weblog – he’s the boardgame master, and has many recommendations.

I recommend avoiding the expansion packs until you’ve got the hang of the regular game.

The original works well with 3+ players: for 2 players there’s a “Castle” version.

I recommend avoiding the expansion packs until you’ve got the hang of the regular game.

The original works well with 3+ players: for 2 players there’s a “Castle” version.