amazing board games

i paid a visit to pretty patrol this morning and came across some absolutely amazing stuff that might help parents out there longing to drag their kids away from what my wife calls “the screens.”

first up is ”khet”. a sort of high-tech version of chess, the object of the game: "each player begins with 12 egyptian-themed pieces and a laser built into the board. the goal is to arrange your pieces so that the laser's beam bounces off their mirrored sides with the goal of illuminating opponent's pieces to eliminate them from the game."

let’s move on to ”the pillars of the earth. nope, not the oprah book club selection by ken follett -although you’re close - it’s based in part on that weighty tome.

here’s what happens in “pillars” . . .
“prior phillip of kingsbridge has a glorious vision. to build the largest, most beautiful cathedral in (twelfth century) england. to accomplish the task, phillip recruits the most renowned builders in the country. however, the fate of the cathedral is constantly threatened by all manner of catastrophes and oppositions. the pillars of the earth is based on ken follett's best-selling novel. players join together to help build kingsbridge cathedral. using your workmen and resources, you must wisely deploy assets to overcome unexpected difficulties and shortages to prove yourself the greatest builder of them all! will your efforts be recognized when the great cathedral at kingsbridge is complete?”
players report that it takes around two hours for a game and can actually take longer depending on your experience and patience. it looks like excellent fun and challenging as well.

still in the realm of cathedrals comes the game of ”cathedral”. resembling chess in some respects but with an element of land-grabbing to add that lovely element of greed that i always associate with the most emotional games of monopoly. here’s what you can expect in a game of cathedral . . .

“just as it is in a modern metropolis, space is at a premium in the game of cathedral. cathedral challenges two players to place as many buildings as possible within the walls of a medieval city. there are two sets (light and dark) of hardwood buildings of various sizes. to begin the game, one player places the cathedral on the grid of the walled city. then the two players vie for the remaining land. their goal is to place their own buildings while thwarting their opponent's land-grabbing tendencies. if a player can completely surround one of his/her opponent's buildings, that building is removed from the board and the space gobbled up by a different building. the game ends up resembling a puzzle that must be thoughtfully pieced together. The winner is the player whose unplaced buildings would occupy the least amount of space in the city.”

while we’re still looking at amazing board games. if you have ever been drawn to look at illuminations from ireland’s book of kells and been absolutely stunned and mesmerized by their incredible beauty and detail, then you have to see the products of tailten games.

here’s what happens in the game according to online retailer game puzzles from whom you can order this incredible game. “a simply stunning game evoking Irish legends and producing ever-changing celtic knot designs as players build ring forts and link their kingdoms with bridges. every detail has been thought of with consummate artistry for visual, mental and tactile pleasure, even the packaging. two games, 8 variants to play: "sacred hill" and "high kings of tara." score with kingdoms or with knots as the intricate connections intertwine. we first met this game in its deluxe handcrafted version, with pieces like pottery shards. the somewhat smaller plastic edition offered here also has excellent production values, at a popular price.”

the last game i’ll share here could best be described as esoteric playable art.
paradice is one of the most visually and intellectually beautiful games i have come across. it’s creator “see through games” has a website devoted to it where you can see a (much-speeded-up) version of paradice being played.

“the game of give and take (pictured above) is a strategy game like no other, equally esoteric and artful. in a world of four forests, each with a forest spirit, players compete to become the giver, who gives trees, and to bring human beings eye-to-eye to form the blue pyramid -- before the taker, who takes trees and draws human beings apart, stops them, that is. of course, on any roll of the die the circumstance changer can cause the opportunity for givers to become takers, and vice versa. thus, each player experiences both points of view in a single game. the beautiful challenge is that only the giver can win the game. meditate on this powerful goal, you shall!”

many of these games can be purchased through amazon and if not then i have linked them to their manufacturers for you in the text. game on!!