|
A Dark and
Bloody Ground
(Clash of Arms)
In Print
£24.99 |
This is
a simulation of a 5 year struggle for the control of Ohio. One player is the
controller of the United States armed forces and the other controls various
Native American nations and their potential allies from Great Britain and
Canada.
The game can be played solitaire
without much effort |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
A Qui Le Tour
(Joureve) 1994 |
This is a 1 to 4 player game. Cycle race game with French rules (English translation may or
may not be included). Cyclists move by cards but there are special 'trump' cards you can
retain for special manoeuvres and considerable strategy is needed to take advantage of
slipstreaming. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
|
Age of
Exploration
Prism Games
1994
Photo |
Each
player represents a European syndicate backing expeditions. You begin by
attracting a famous explorer such as Columbus, Magellan, Ponce de Leon or
Cortez. Then you must outfit an expedition and set off on a voyage of
discovery... At sea, you must
brave scurvy, storms and superstitions. After making landfall, you may encounter
friendly natives or find yourself embroiled in rivalries, civil wars and
prophecies. These and other difficulties will challenge even the boldest of
conquistadors on their path to glory. |
Playing time:
3 hrs
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
Air Force
(Avalon Hill) 1980
Out of print
Photo |
Air Force allows you to re-create representative historical air battles from any period
between the Battle of Britain of June 1940 through to the massive air offensives over
Germany. Anything from small scale fighter clashes over the Channel Coast to night
bombing raids over London or Berlin. Each of the major aircraft types in the Royal Air Force,
Luftwaffe and Army Air Force is represented and can be used in any combination.
Air Force is a tense game of skill in manoeuvring and understanding the strengths and
weaknesses of your aircraft compared to your opponents.
There are three solitaire scenarios in the original rules -
1. V - 1 Solitaire Scenario (V-1 pilotless bombs)
2. Mass bombers
3. Low Level Mission (Vehicle Attacks) |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating 7
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
American Megafauna
(Sierra Madre Games)
Second Edition 2001
$40 |
American Megafauna pits dinosaurs against mammals in ancient America. The game is
designed for two to four players, from ages 9 to adult, or can be played solitaire. It
recreates the titanic contest of these two types of prehistoric beasts from the Triassic to the
present. The contest initially appeared to be won by the dinosaurs, who strutted triumphant
for 170 million years, only to be overthrown, in what must be the upset of the eon, by the
mammals. Yet the contest is not over.
This is a game of ecology, evolution, and DNA. Players start as one of four nondescript
archetypes, but can branch out to new species from this basic type by bidding on genotype
and DNA cards as they are revealed. For auction "currency," players use gene coins from a
"gene pool." DNA cards allow players to create strange animals, from cud-chewing
crocodiles with antlers, to saber-tooth meat-eating camels.
In the the advanced version, the continent of Laurentia is occasionally flooded or glaciated;
greenhouse levels change; and the three Milankovitch cycles are handled by cards that
occur with historical probabilities. Biome cards, including cycad prairies, mountains, ice
sheets, and mangrove swamps, appear on the map in succession according to "climax"
ratings. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating 7
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
|
Angola
(Ragnar Brothers)
Back in Print
£14.99
Photo |
Angola
is available from Ragnar Brothers. Angola is a simulation of the civil war which
afflicted that country from February 1975 to March 1976. It would probably be
termed a 'war game' in most circles. They call it a game of Command and Decision
which sounds pretentious but does accurately capture the essence of Angola - the
decisions a player makes about how he or she orders the elements of his or her
command are the crucial factors that determine the outcome of combat and the
capture of towns.
Angola is a
game that requires some dedicated rules reading but is easily explained to
others once one kind hearted soul has got to grips with it. The effort made will
be well rewarded by a game that really cranks the tension up as each player
waits to see which units are moving in each turn - the command orders are
hidden, well turned face down actually and only revealed one at a time as the
turn proceeds.
This game was out of print but has
recently been re-released and now says its a 1 - 4 player game (original says 2
-4) |
Playing time:
2 hrs
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
|
Arkham Horror
Fantasy Flight Games
2005
$49.95
Photo |
The town of
Arkham,
Massachusetts, is in a panic.
Horrific and bizarre events have begun to occur with increasing frequency—all
seeming to point towards some cataclysmic event in the near future that may
spell disaster for everyone. Only one small band of investigators can save
Arkham from the Great Old Ones and destruction!
Arkham Horror is a
cooperative game for 1-8 players ages 12 and up, and can be played in 2-3 hours. |
Playing time:
3 hrs
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
|
Assault on Mt.
Everest
(Eagles Nest)
Printed 1976
Out of Print
Photo |
A
strategy/simulation game that involves all the basic elements of the first
conquest of Everest by British climbers in 1954. The object of the game is to
reach as high on the mountain as possible within the time allowed (47 day long
turns beginning on April 12, 1953 and ending on May 29th. You must have and use
the correct equipment, choose the best team of climbers that you can, set up
camps along the way and assault the summit at the proper time.
|
Playing time:
1 hr
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
Battle Platform Antilles
(by Dan Verssen)
Printed 2001 |
Crew-up your Paladin and set your jump vector for adventure! In this solitaire game an elite
squadron of Paladin Class assault ships are under your command. Objective: Destroy an
artifact battle platform while minimizing losses to your squadron. The automated platform will
be firing deadly plasma bolts automatically and randomly. Avoid these while using your
fusion guns to take out the platforms critical components before you are vaporized!
*This game can be downloaded free from the following website - http://www.battleplay.com/subpages/antilles.html |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
Blackbeard
(Avalon Hill)
In print
£25
Photo |
Blackbeard recreates The Golden Age of Piracy at the turn of the 18th century. Each player
attempts to amass a fortune and retire before a King's Commissioner tracks him down, a
Warship stumbles across him, or his own crew cuts his throat! Merchant ships plying the
trade routes are the targets. Fast action is dictated by a card system that brings merchants
over the horizon to be plundered or posts to be raided and sacked. Players beware, as this
games features random happenstance. For 1 to 4 players. |
See games cabinet review
for further details -
games cabinet
Playing time: 4 to 9 hours
Complexity Rating:
|
|
Carcassonne -
Hunters
& Gatherers
(Rio Grande
Games)
In Print
£14.99
Photo |
Players build
prehistoric landscapes using tiles. They then send out tribe members to hunt,
fish and gather. This is a Carcassonne variant. This is a 2 - 5 player
game. Using these rule
variations it can be played as a solo game -
Tiles:
1 starter tile
20 randomly selected tiles
12 bonus tiles
1 hut
2 followers
play as normal, but only place a follower when a river/forest is completed. |
Playing time:
45 mins
Complexity Rating
2
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
|
Centrepoint
(Ennerdale)
1987
Out of
Print |
Strategy game using
76 pieces, all 25mm miniatures of soldiers such as
lancers, archers, generals, etc. Probably classed as a multi-player chess
variant as the pieces have different moves, although the objective is to get
your standard bearer to the central space. The game is played on a circular
gridded board, and rules are included for 2-3 players and also for postal
play. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating : Low
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
|
Chrononauts
£16.99 |
Time travelling card game for 1-6 players in which
participants have to change past events to allow them to return to their own
timeline
* Please check that this is a 1 - 6
player game. One description says 1 - 6 and another says 2 - 6, so I'm not sure. |
Playing time:
15 - 45 mins
Complexity Rating : Low
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
Boarding Party
(Task Force)1982
Out of Print
Photo |
Boarding Party is a solitaire game of low complexity that pits human invaders against robots
and computer-controlled defenses. The human player must penetrate the defenses of the
automated space ship and destroy the computer center.
Gameplay lasts fourteen turns. Human movement around the map of the ship is at a flat rate.
The robot movement is controlled by die rolls. Automated defense is determined by a blind
draw of chits. Combat is determined by dice rolls which are cross-referenced on tables.
There are four levels of the ship with many automated hazards for the human player to
survive. Replay value is limited, but there are additional rules for a second player to control
the robots.
The game consists of one rulebook, one mapsheet, and fort-five die-cut counters. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating : Low
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
Circus Maximus
(Avalon Hill) 1980
Out of print
Photo |
Circus Maximus is a tactical simulation of chariot racing in ancient Rome. The game is
played by one to eight players, each controlling one or more chariot teams. The game
provides all the information needed to recreate this historic sport easily and accurately in an
exciting format.
The driver must choose whether to slow their teams in order to attack their opponents with
whips or ram attacks, how best to defend against attacks from others, when to whip their own
team and when to save their limited endurance to coax them through the all important
corners.
The campaign game allows participants to build an entire stable of chariot teams and drivers
for use in a racing season of ten different starts.
It can be played solitaire. The player takes on the role of each faction in turn but makes
attack decisions for only one - his own.
|
Playing time: 2 hours
Complexity Rating 2
(for 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
|
City of Chaos
Monocle Games Ltd
1996
Photo |
Players
explore a randomly generated city seeking clues to uncover a source of the chaos
that is afflicting the city and defeat it. Combines many different features:
- Tile Laying: players create the game board by placing tiles
- Random Events: players draw an event card each time they enter a new tile
- Combat: many events result in opponents to fight
- Role Playing: players can improve their characters skills and gain weapons /
items to help them
- Paragraph Reading: the plot is uncovered by reading paragraphs out of a book
- Mystery Solving: players must use the clues they read in the paragraphs to
determine how to win
This is a 1 - 6 player game |
Playing time:
3 hrs +
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Command at
Sea Volume 4:
Supermarina II
In Print
£12.99 |
Submarina II in Larry Bond's Command at Sea series portraying the struggle for
naval supremacy in the Mediterranean Sea. Covering the period from July 1941 to
August 1942.
Several
scenarios are highly suitable for solitaire play |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Conquistador
(Avalon Hill) 1983
Out of print
Photo |
Conquistador recreates16th century exploration and conquest of the New World by the
major powers of Europe. This game has a little bit of everything. In the beginning diplomacy
is paramount to allow players to establish footholds in the form of small colonies. As the
game goes on, however, disputes will no doubt arise and players may resort to economic
or military aggression to take what they need.
In the solitaire game the one player is Spain. Colonization by the non-player countries is
handled by an abstract set of rules. |
Playing time: 8 hours
Complexity Rating 7
(from 1- 10, 10 is high)
|
|
D-Day: The
Great Crusade
(Moments in History)
In Print
£56.95 |
D-Day:
The Great Crusade by designer Danny Holte portrays the invasion of France by
Allied forces during World War II.
Suitable for solo and team play, the game covers Operation Overlord from 6 June
and depicts the action in Normandy until 6 July 1944.
This is a regimental level (some battalions), 2-map game covering the first 30
days of the campaign in Normandy. 1.5 km per hex, 1 day turns. It includes 5
scenarios including the campaign game. Rules include: Air support/bridge
destruction, Naval support, Artillery bombardment, Interdiction, Weather,
Replacements/Unit Breakdown plus more.
Contains 2 x 22"x34" maps, 480 counters depicting the military formations that
saw action in the Normandy Campaign, 2 x Play Aid Cards, complete rulebook with
historical notes and designer's commentary. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
Low/Medium
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Deathmaze
((SPI) 1979
Out of Print |
A dungeon building game with two sets of pieces - characters and dungeon tiles. Basically
you build a dungeon by randomly selecting tiles and then you have to kill all the monsters
that appear in the dungeon.
Limitted appeal. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Decathlon
(Avalon Hill) 1984
Out of print
Photo |
This is a 1 to 7 player game. Statistical sports game using the Paydirt dice system and
originally made as Trackmeet (by Sports Illustrated). Great Decathlon stars compete against
each other over 10 events, some requiring little more than a dice role and some requiring
strategic decisions and forethought. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
|
Dragon Strike
TSR
1993
Photo |
DragonStrike was a
1993
adventure board game from
TSR Inc based on the
Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game.
DragonStrike was intended to serve as an introduction to the D&D
role-playing game, and used greatly simplified versions of the Basic D&D rules.
The game came with several fold-out maps for use as the board, a number of
plastic miniatures to represent the
player characters and monsters, and various
other game pieces. Also included were several pre-written quests available for
play, including several single-player adventures. Its most distinctive feature,
however, was the inclusion of a
video
tutorial on how to play
the game. This is a 1
- 6 player game |
Playing time: 1 hr
Complexity Rating
Low/Medium
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Dreadnoughts and Battlecruisers
Minden Games
2003
$26
Photo |
To quote the
Designer's Notes, "Dreadnoughts & Battlecruisers is a simple,
introductory game of World War I battleship combat. It does not aim to be the
last word in Great War naval simulation; it does aim to be a fun, accessible,
and competitive "first word" on the subject." If you enjoy naval warfare in the
Great War period, why not give Dreadnoughts & Battlecruisers a try?
http://www.homestead.com/minden_games/Dreadnoughts.html |
Playing time:
Complexity
Rating :
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Droids
Eurogames
1991
Photo |
Players
program and pilot a robot around a board trying to eliminate the other robots.
Orders for movement and action take the form of tiles placed on your programing
board. Only good programing and the ability to anticipate the orders of other
players will enable you to be the last robot standing.
This is a 1 - 4 player game
|
Playing time:
1 hr
Complexity
Rating :
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Eagle Eye Agency
(Family
Pastimes)
1982
Photo |
Players are Private
Eyes, all working for Eagle Eye Agency, gathering clues in Big City to solve the
mysteries. Shadow suspects, do legwork, gradually work up a case. Everyone plays
a key part. It's not who wins, but rather can we all solve the mystery?
Thirty-nine original cases are provided. When you have exhausted these cases,
you can extend the game by using the Mystery Maker Kit included to create more
of your own cases. Your ingenuity is your only limit... But what is special
about the game is not only solving those mysteries, but also the co-operative
sleuthing. Expect lots of dialoguing over Case Theories, Puzzling Clues, and
even the Final Solution! |
Playing time:
30 mins
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Empires of Arcana
Thane's Games
2005
Photo |
Empires of Arcana puts you in command
of a scattered alliance of towns, trying to conquer Arcana and build a thriving
fantasy empire. Not only will you have to fend off the scheming machinations of
your opponents, but Arcana has become overrun with hordes of savage goblins.
Goblins love nothing more than destroying the civilizations and armies of
players, especially when they can build their underground warrens where castles
once stood.
http://www.thanesgames.com/empires/empiresmain.htm |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Face-to-the-mat
(Plaay.com) 2002
Still in print
|
FACE-TO-THE-MAT Pro Wrestling is a board game simulation of professional wrestling.
With it, you can re-create the world of pro wrestling at home on your living room or family
room table top! And NOT just the matches--FACE-TO-THE-MAT Pro Wrestling re-creates ALL
the over-the-top antics that make pro wrestling America's wildest TV sports attraction!
FACE-TO-THE-MAT Pro Wrestling Game is designed to make it feel like you're watching
real pro wrestling on television! |
Playing time: 30 mins
Complexity Rating: 4
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Feurio
Edition Erlkonig
2003
Photo |
The
game mechanism simulates a spreading forest fire which the players try to bring
under control. They place firefighters in different parts of the forest and try
to achieve two objectives:
to fight the most dangerous fires to earn points (adding up high numbers) and to
occupy at least one water source (player's points are divided by the lowest
number they occupy).The fire
limits the spaces where people can be placed and eliminates water sources. The
direction of the fire's spread is determined by the current situation and can be
guessed quite accurately by watching the game closely. It is a highly
territorial game with lots of blocking and chasing. The game also includes a
solitaire and a cooperative variant. |
Playing time: 30 min
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Firepower
(Avalon Hill) 1984
Out of Print
Photo |
Solitaire man to man squad tactics.Solitaire or up to six players(team play) |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating :
Medium
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
First contact your town
(Plaay.com) 2002
Still in print |
FIRST CONTACT YOUR TOWN Sci-Fi Action Game is an easy and fun-to-play take-off on the
"invasion-of-the-body-snatchers" themed "B" movies of the 1950's and '60s. It's also one of
the FEW such games that you can actualy play solo! The premise is simple: What if
intelligent beings from another planet decided to forcibly take possession of planet Earth by
taking over people's bodies? And what if the place they landed to begin implementation of
this takeover was YOUR TOWN? And...what if YOU were the only one who KNEW about it? |
Playing time: 30 mins
Complexity Rating: 3.5
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Flying Colors
GMT
2005
Photo |
Flying Colors recreates naval actions during the height of the Age of Sail,
from small engagements to full battles involving dozens of ships in each fleet.
Play is fast, furious, and does not require the pre-plotted movement found in
many other naval games. Instead, a simple initiative and command system allows
players to activate and manoeuvre their fleets in a realistic manner, indicating
how older commanders adhered to rules of engagement where more forward thinking
commanders, like Nelson, could retain control of their fleets after the first
broadsides began to be exchanged.
This is not a strategic level game
where one piece represents several ships. Flying Colors includes 300
individually named ships rated for size, gunnery, boarding ability, and damage
capacity. Also included are nearly four dozen individually named commanders,
rated for their ability to control their formations as well as the impact of
their presence within the fleet. The game system provides what naval enthusiasts
will expect in a tactical Age of Sail game: broadsides, rakes, anchoring, wind
effects, weather, shore batteries, and much more. All this is packed into a
short, accessible rulebook.
http://www.gmtgames.com/nnfc/main.html |
Playing time:
4 hrs
Complexity Rating :
Medium
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Frigate
(SPI) 1974
Out of print
Photo |
The game of Frigate is a simulation of surface naval warfare during the age of sail, the
eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The game uses markers representing individual ships
with varying characteristics to recreate the most famous battles of the period. All of the
essential elements of that period of naval warfare are recreated, including gunnery,
boarding, damage and the effects of wind. Certain sections are optional rules which will add
realism to the game while adding to the complexity level.
Basically a two player game however there is one solitaire scenario - 'The Battle of the Nile' |
Playing time: 1.5 hours
average
Complexity Rating 6
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
Geronimo
(Avalon Hill) 1995
Photo |
Geronimo is a medium complexity game recreating the United States expansion into the
western territories and the resulting conflict with Indian tribes. Players alternate playing Indian
tribes and the U.S. forces in an effort to acquire the most victory points.
The U.S. player must manage the western expansion by building settlements, towns,
railroads, etc. in an effort to maintain existing states and guide territories into statehood. The
Indian players attempt to hinder this process with guerilla raids all across the board.
The game consists of 1 map board, 32 tribe cards, 1 deck of event cards and die cut
counters. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating :
Medium
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Gumshoe
(Sleuth) 1986
Out of Print
Photo |
A deduction game from the makers of Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective. The setting is
a Bogart-style world of Hollywood private detectives.
1 to 6 players |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating :
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Gunslinger
Avalon Hill
(1982)
Out of
Print
Photo |
An amazingly
detailed tactical game. Gunfights are resolved step by step and bullet by
bullet. Of course the fisticuffs are blow by blow. The gunsmith has virtually
every weapon availble at the time. Sticks and stones or even dynamite and
lassoes or broken chairs can be part of your arsenal. The 8 boards are two sided
with town scenes on one side and open country one the other. Each player has a
hand to play from which both limits and allows actions. A roleplaying campaign
of linked scenarios is possible. The downside is that a 10 second fight can take
hours to resolve if enough players are present. This is a 1 - 7 player
game. |
Playing time:
90 mins
Complexity Rating :
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Imperium Romanum II
(West End Games) 1985
Out of Print
Photo |
Revamped version of Imperium Romanum, vastly improved by all accounts. Over 30
scenarios, charting the origins, rise and fall of the Roman Empire.Fight as a barbarian or as
any of the famous roman consuls, generals or even emperors. Warning - some scenarios
are given a guide-length as 100+ hours!! |
Playing time: upto 100
hours!
Complexity Rating :
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
In Flanders Fields
Moments in History
£25.75 |
The Second Battle of Ypres 1915. Low complex, map, 280 counters, solitaire to multi-player,
1+ hours
|
Playing time: 1+ hours
Complexity Rating: 3
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Ingenius
(Fantasy
Flight Games) 2004
$27.95
Photo |
A pure abstract 1-4 player game. This is
a Reiner Knizia game. The game involves laying pieces on a hex board. Points are
gained by laying pieces in different symbol colours. |
Playing time:
20 mins
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
Insecta
(Sierra Madre Games)
Still in Print
$10
Photo |
The Mutant Kit allows two to six players to design mutated insects using bug cards - head,
appendages, and abdomen. Then they fight it out in one of four underground arena
chambers.
Adding any of the Hive Packs (listed below) turns the game into a team-oriented campaign
to defeat a Hive filled with real-world arthropods. As the mutants defeat their enemies, they
may eat them to get bigger, stronger, and uglier. Special rules cover projector weapons,
web bolas, expendible spines, pheromones, venom, and armor. Hive packs also allow
solitaire play. Desert Hive Pack $10; Rainforest Hive Pack $15;Trilobite Hive Pack $15 |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
Iron Bottom Sound 11
Moments in History
£33.50 |
Night naval surface combat in WWII, covering battles fought in the Solomons during 1942-43
plus two scenarios fought in the Med and English Channel. Med complex, med solitaire
suitable, 2 maps, 2 island cut-outs, 210 counters, 5 player aid cards, 2+ hours
|
Playing time: 2+ hours
Complexity Rating: 4
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
King Arthur
(Wotan) 1988
Out of print
Photo |
This is a 1 to 6 player game. Detailed game of the legendary exploits of Arthurian chivalry. It
plays well as a solitaire game. It has a nice feel for it's subject. It even includes rules for
creating your own knight (as in role playing games) if you don't want to use the historical
characters provided. |
Playing time: 2hours
Complexity Rating: Medium
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
King's Bounty
(Task Force)1991
Out of print
Photo |
This is a game for 1 to 8 players. It is a fantasy game that places the players as bounty
hunters. They have to hunt down fantastic villains for fun and profit. You can even create your
own Bounty Hunter (as if in a role playing game) if you get tired of playing the pre-set
characters. It plays well as a solitaire game.
Players' challenges are great, and the rewards are numerous. Sword and sorcery will help,
but only the stout-hearted will win the King's Bounty!
|
Playing time: 3 -5 hours
Complexity Rating: easy to
moderate
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
La Bataille de Lutzen
Clash of Arms
£56.50
|
France vs Prussia & Russia in the first clash of Napoleon's 1813 campaign. Med complex, 2
maps, 1000+ counters, solitaire or multiple players, 2+ hours
|
Playing time: 2+ hours
Complexity Rating: 5
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Locomotion
(Franckh) 1987
Out of print |
This is a 1 to 4 player game. An abstract train game with 4 wooden trains (an engine and four
carriages). The board consists of 45 pieces of track making a random board every game.
You get to shunt your carriages around the board hoping to link up your complete train. It
can be played with or without die. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Lord of the Rings
Kosmos
$44.95
Photo |
Lord of the Rings
is a co-operative game where the object is to destroy the Ring while surviving
the corrupting influence of Sauron. Each player plays one of the Hobbits in
the fellowship, each of which has a unique power. The game is played on a
number of boards: the Master board indicates both the physical progress of the
fellowship across Middle Earth and the corrupting influence of Sauron on the
hobbits, and a number of scenario boards which detail the events and
adventures of particular locations. Progression across the boards is
determined by playing cards (many of which represent the characters and items
of Middle Earth), and the effects of corruption are represented by a special
die. The game is lost if the ring-bearer is overcome by Sauron, or won if the
ring is destroyed by throwing it into the volcanic fires of Mount Doom.
Although this is a
2-5 player game, a solitaire edition can be downloaded from the following site
-
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/viewitem.php3?gameid=823
|
Playing time: 1 hr +
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Lords of the High Frontier
Sierra
Madre Games
In Print
$16 |
Rocket design and
space entrepreneurship in the near future. Vector-based combat, delta-vee based
movement.Three solar system maps, 530 counters, 80 cards and 6 design sheets.
1 - 6 players |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Magic Realm
(Avalon Hill)1979
Out of Print
Photo |
Magic Realm is a medium complexity game of heroic adventuring in a fantasy environment.
Players control 1 of 16 characters as they travel the map board have encounters in an
attempt to fulfill their individual goals.
The map board is created by alternating players placing hex tiles until all 20 are set.
Monsters and treasures are placed randomly for the players to encounter when they enter
the hex during game play. Players log their activities for the turn which represents 1 day and
can have as many as 4 action phases. Most encounters have reaction tables which are
cross-referenced with die rolls for results. Combat is conducted in the spirit of
rock-scissors-paper in that players secretly select offensive and defensive actions which
are simultaneously revealed and compared for results. At game start players determine
which of five categories (treasures, spells, fame, notoriety, gold) their victory points will
come from. The players who fulfills their victory point requirements first is the winner.
This game consists of 20 hex tiles, 2 counter sheets, 16 character cards, 1 sheet of
spell/treasure cards, 1 personal history pad, 1 rule booklet. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating: Medium
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
|
Memoir'44
Days of
Wonder
2004
£32
Photo |
Strictly speaking,
this is a 2 player game. However there are a number of scenarios that can be
very easily adapted to the single player. Its certainly worth considering. A
very nice, versatile game system with a nice mechanism involving left, centre
and right flank movement.
The game is very
well produced and the inclusion of plastic figures do enhance it. Visit the site
for further details.
http://www.memoir44.com/ |
Playing time: 30 mins
Complexity Rating
3
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Merchant of
Venus Avalon
Hill
1988
Out of Print
Photo |
Described by many as a railroading game in space, this classic title from
Avalon Hill uses many
elements which come together to form a very interesting game. Players take on
the roles of space traders who move their ships through interconnected systems
discovering new alien worlds to exploit. As players start to make money
delivering commodities in a very unique supply and demand system, their earnings
can be used to purchase better ships and equipment, or to buy factories which
create better commodities. In the end, the player with the most cash takes the
day |
Playing time:
3 hrs
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Merlin
(Wotan) 1993
Out of print |
This is a 1 to 4 player game. Fantasy / historical game set in Arthurian Britain. Each player
is a Druid priest influencing the 10 sub-kingdoms of Britain. It is played on a colourful map of
Olde Albion. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Minden Sports Quad
(Minden) 1992
Out of print |
This is a game for one or more players. Set of four games, mostly using regular playing
cards. The sports covered are Marathon, Basketball, Cricket and a game called Summit,
about mountain climbing. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Monty's Gamble: Market
Garden
Multi Man Publishing
£32.99 |
WWII Wargame, 2 players/teams or solitaire
A standalone simulation of the Allied attack in Holland. The Allies must land paratroopers,
seize key bridges, and get XXX Corps up "Hell's Highway" to relieve the British
paratroopers in Arnhem. Featuring a semi-simultaneous movement system, creating
maximum interaction and forcing players to make tough choices. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Oceania
(Mayfair
Games) 2004
£11.99
Photo |
Experience the
adventure of exploring unknown islands! Each game presents new and unique
challenges, for the board is different every time you play.
In the 2-player
variant, you and your opponent seek to claim the biggest islands in Oceania. The
most successful explorer is the victor!
Or you can be your
own opponent in the solo variant. You will seek out larger, more valuable
islands as the game challenges you to beat your own record score!
Oceania is the
smaller but no less exciting brother of the classic Klaus Teuber game “Entdecker®,”
also published by Mayfair Games.
|
Playing time: 10 -30 min
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Ogre
(Metagaming) 1978
Out of print
Photo |
Ogre is a tactical ground combat game set in the next century. In 2085AD armoured warfare
continues - faster and deadlier than ever. Hovercraft, tanks and powered infantry slug it out
with tactical nuclear devices. But the most feared weapon of all needs no human guidance.
It's the giant cybernetic tank called the Ogre.
The basic version of Ogre gives one player a force or infantry and armour and a command
post he must defend. The other player has only one unit - but it's an Ogre. It's an even
match.
Ogre plays very well as a solo game in two scenarios ie one person can play both sides,
programming the Ogre to charge straight in. |
Playing time: 30 minutes to
1 hour
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
|
Old Town
(Clicker)
2004
In Print
Photo
$35.85 |
A wild west town
lies in ruins and the players try to restore it to its former glory by using
clues to the original locations of the buildings on cards. These clues relate a
building's position to other buildings, the railroad, and various streets. Each
building has a large tile to place on the appropriate spot when its position is
definitively determined, and markers to place when there are only a small number
of possible locations. Players score points by eliminating these markers by
playing clue cards and making deductions. Unique idea, and recommended for
deduction game fans. 1 - 5 Player game |
Playing time:
1 hr
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
|
Orient
Express
Jumbo / Just Games
1985
Out of Print
Photo |
A murder mystery style game. You must
collect clues from different rooms, but you have only a limmited time before the
train reaches the station. If you don't catch the culprit before then, the
killer will escape. It is unique in that the solution is NEVER 100% sure. You
must make some logical assumptions to get the killer. The killer is different
each time based on a number of prewritten murder cases (extras were sold
separately).
This is a 1 - 6 player game |
Playing time:
1 hr
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
Outdoor Survival
(Avalon Hill) 1972
Out of print
Photo |
Want to try your skills at wilderness survival without leaving your air-conditioned living room?
Then set up a game of Outdoor Survival, a classic game from Avalon Hill - Stackpole, ©
1972. A Game About Wilderness Skills, it's actually 5 different games, played over a 6
panel folding board, 21½" by 23½".
This is a mixed game with solitaire and multiplayer scenarios. |
Playing time: 2 hours
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
|
Paydirt
(Avalon
Hill) 1979
Out of
Print
Photo |
Paydirt uses Team
Charts patterned after every AFL/NFL pro team. These charts are statistically
designed to reflect the strengths and weaknesses that characterised that team.
Though the teams from the era it was published come in the box there is the
ability to purchase teams from any era, and even more recent teams. With
Avalon Hill's demise this is not the case for the most recent years.
Originally a Sports Illustrated Game.
Coach Solitaire - is a Solitaire system for playing PayDIrt. On sale at
Owzat Games for £9.95
|
Playing time:
90mins
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
Peloponnesian War
(Victory) 1991
Out of print
Photo |
This is a 1 to 7 player game. Very original war game where the solitaire game in particular
deserves more attention. As the game proceeds, you must change sides and recover the
fortunes of the losing side. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
Pennant Race
(Avalon Hill) 1983
Out of Print
PPhoto |
Pennant Race is a baseball game that concentrates not on individual games and the
pitcher/batter confrontation but on roster management and trading over an entire season.
Real-life players are rated according to their batting average, speed and defense over the
previous season and those ratings are used to simulate the outcome of a game on a single
dice roll. Over the course of the season, the standings of each club in the league is tracked
to see who wins the championship. Provisions are included in the game for injuries and star
performances to occur, and mechanics are included for rookie players to be created. The
game is designed for solitaire play as well as multiple players, and can be used to simulate
the background games of a league in tandem with whatever detailed baseball simulation the
user prefers. |
Playing time: 10 mins per
game
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Playing Card Cricket
(Minden) 1992
Out of print |
This is a 1 or 2 player game. Excellent statistical cricket game (by an American!). It includes
the full rating book and the advanced version. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
Reich
(Chaosium) 1979
Out of print |
This is a 1 to 4 player game. Very nice game that owes something to both Diplomacy and
Kingmaker. This is a game with a time limit of 2 to 3 hours. However it does leave itself
open to distortion. For example on the final move a player (who had little chance of winning)
can take a big gamble to win the game. An alternative suggestion has been to tot up the
scores at the end of each round. The winner is the player who has scored consistently well
throughout the game rather than just the last round. |
Playing time: 2 to 3 hours
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
Reiner Knizia's Decathlon
(Web
Published) 2003
Free |
Check out the web
site below for an interesting free game. This is a one to four player game. A 10
game athletics event including 100m, 400m, 1500m, long jump, high jump, pole
vault, discus, shot put, javelin and 110m hurdle. You will need a few 6 sided
dice to play. Nice little game.
You'll also find
another free game at the site below -
http://www.apba84.dsl.pipex.com/kgcoolstuff.htm# |
Playing time:
45 mins
Complexity Rating
Low
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
|
Replay Baseball
(Replay
Games) 1973
Out of
Print
Photo |
Players select
lineups and pitchers, and rolling 3 dice, get a numerical column and result
number. Results are read off of play chart to get play result, which can be
impacted by fielders, running speed, or pitcher's ability. Players may steal,
bunt, or hit and run. Season Sets available range from 1894 to 1973 |
Playing time:
30 mins
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
|
Return of the Heroes
(Pegasus
Press) 2003
£29.99
Photo |
Return of the Heroes
is a fantasy exploration game where you start with a basic character and develop
and strenthen through a series of challenges. This is a well crafted,
beautifully produced fantasy board game. It really is a pleasure to play. |
Playing time:
90 mins
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
Richthofen's War
(Avalon Hill) 1972
Out of print
Photo |
You recreate all the drama and lightning action of aerial combat over France in the First
World War. Each player in complete control of one airplane, attempts to outmanoeuvre his
opponent and mark up a victory on the way to becoming an Ace. There are seven
scenarios to choose from and over 32 different aircraft types.
Scenario number 7 - balloon busting provides a good solitaire situation because admittedly
there is not much for the balloonist to do. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
Roller Rumble
(Plaay.com) 2002
Still in print |
ROLLER RUMBLE Roller Derby Game is the first board game EVER to authentically
re-create the banked-track sport that was at one time America's number one indoor sports
attraction! Anybody who grew up in the 1960's or '70's remembers the Roller Derby!
ROLLER RUMBLE re-creates all the bumps, spills, jostling, and lightning-fast speed skating
of the derby in a really fun game that is remarkably easy to play! |
Playing time: 40 mins
Complexity Rating: 4
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Run Chase
(Games Unlimited) 1981
Out of print |
This is a 1 or 2 player game. Statistical cricket game with a good 2 player non statistical
option. Based on Limited Over League held on Sundays. The system for checking every
delivery for 40 overs, but without actually having to check every delivery, is very clever. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
Score More
(Invicta) 1970
Out of print |
A one to six player game. This is an abstract game which, unusually for this company, is
made of wooden pieces. It uses a special die (with 0's and X's on it) giving you plenty of
chances to score but as the board fills up with pieces it gets trickier.
|
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Second Season
(Plaay.com) 2002
Still in print |
SECOND SEASON Pro Football Game re-creates the game of professional football. What
sets SECOND SEASON apart from other board football games is that EVERY player
matters--not just the skill position stars. It has been meticulously designed to be the best
table-top football simulation EVER, one that re-creates FOOTBALL ACTION rather than just
football STATISTICS. (But the statistics come out right, too!) Playing SECOND SEASON
makes you feel like you're watching a pro football game on television, it's that detailed! A
typical game takes about an hour and a half to play |
Playing time: 1.5 hrs
Complexity Rating: 7
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
t |
|
Shooting Stars
(Yaquinto)
1980
Out of
Print
Photo |
Ship to ship space
combat game. Scenarios range from a US-USSR Space war, to Asteroid Pirates, and
an Alien Invasion. Movement uses a vector based system, which means planning
movement several turns ahead is pretty important. Energy management between a
wide variety of ship functions (eg.shields, cloak, scanners) is important and
there are many different weapons possible. Eight ship designs included, but more
can be designed. Movement is plotted simultaneously. 1 - 4 player game. |
Playing time:
2 hr
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Sorcerer's Cave
(Gibson Games) 1982
Out of print
Photo |
This is a 1 to 4 player game. Very nice concept in this fantasy game that you need to play
on the floor. This is because the board is made up of a large number of dungeon cards,
which can meander in any direction (and they really do spread out). When you find stairs
you start a new dungeon under the other one and so on as you go deeper. You will need a
large playing area. The solitaire game is very challenging to win! |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
|
SPQR
(GMT Games)
1992
Out of
Print
Photo |
This game contains
counters and maps that allow the reproduction of five battles of warfare in the
Roman Republic. The mechanics allow leaders to activate units within their
command range in order to rout or destroy the other player's army.
|
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high) |
Starfall
(Yaquinto)1979
Out of print
Photo |
Starfall is an operational level game of science fiction exploration and conquest set in the
distant future. Players take on the role of galactic emperors ever-expanding their empire
through the acquisition of new planetary systems.
The players deploy exploration craft to discover traversable black holes that may lead to
new, usable planetary systems. Once a system has been discovered it must be evaluated
for possible terra-forming. Planetary systems in control of a player generate resources that
can in turn be used to build more spacecraft for combat as well as further exploration.
The game consists of 1 21.5" x 27.5" mapboard, 550 die cut counters, log pad, set of charts
and tables, operation sheets, 2 dice, 1 rulebook and a plastic counter tray. |
Playing time:
Complexity Rating
(from 1 - 10, 10 is high)
|
