As the holidays approach, we want to give you some suggestions on great board games for gifts and family gatherings. These are Michelle's favorites.
1. Telestrations and Telestrations Party Game
This is a new game we are carrying this year. It is a fun with a group of 4-8 players, or 8-12 players (the larger
Party pack game). Players pick a word, try to draw the word then pass their books to their neighbors who try to guess the word from their drawing. Once they guess, they try and draw it and then pass the books to their neighbors. It is basically like the old telephone game but with drawing involved. It is fun to see what the outcome is! This is more of a non-competitive, casual play game that is great for lots of laughs in a group setting.
2. Last Letter Game
Super quick to learn. Play moves fast as you turn over a beautifully illustrated card. One player calls out a word associated with the card then flips the next card. Starting with the last letter of the word from the last card, call out a new word associated with the new card... simple, fun and fast. Players gather points (cards) by calling out the most words.
This is a great game for small groups or large groups. Pick a subject card, start the built in timer, tap a letter and that letter is the first letter of the word you use that matches the subject. Once you say the word you tap the red button and move the tapple game to the next person. It gets much harder as the letters are used up. Don't take too long or you are out.
AGES 8+
2-8 players
10-20 minutes play time
I love this game. There are endless set ups on this game. Every time you play is different and your strategy will need to adjust. If you like a fast, easy to learn game this is NOT the game for you. But if you like a game rich in content and strategy, you'll love this and play it over and over.
Here is how it goes: You are a monarch, like your parents before you, a ruler of a small pleasant kingdom of rivers and evergreens. Unlike your parents, however, you have hopes and dreams! You want a bigger and more pleasant kingdom, with more rivers and a wider variety of trees. You want a Dominion! In all directions lie fiefs, freeholds, and feodums. All are small bits of land, controlled by petty lords and verging on anarchy. You will bring civilization to these people, uniting them under your banner.
But wait! It must be something in the air; several other monarchs have had the exact same idea. You must race to get as much of the unclaimed land as possible, fending them off along the way. To do this you will hire minions, construct buildings, spruce up your castle, and fill the coffers of your treasury. Your parents wouldn’t be proud, but your grandparents, would be delighted.
Players: 2 - 4 Age: 13 +
This one is my favorite. Another game rich in strategy. Because board can be set up differently every time and there are multiple avenues to win the game, strategy will have to change with each game. There is a little learning curve to this, so the first time you play it will take a bit of time reading the directions, but it is a game you will come back to over and over. This is actually our best selling board game!
Your goal is to get the most victory points. The first person with 10 victory points wins the game. Gain points by building your settlements, or building the longest railroad or army. Strategically plan to get the most resources in order buy the things you need to build your houses, roads and hotels.
For 3 to 4 players. Ages 10 and up.
Expansions: We have a number of expansions in the store!
