In the busy world of today, many people are looking for ways to spend time with friends and family. Where classic board games have either been played too many times or simply take more time than is available, new games have sprung up. These new games offer quick game play, simple rules, and a lot of variety.
Settlers of Catan – Build and Manage
One of the most popular of modern board games is Settlers of Catan. Originally published in 1995, it has now been published in thirty languages. In Settlers, players control colonies and seek to connect resources to their cities. With these resources, players develop their colonies, seeking to make them the most powerful colony on the island. The game includes trade with other players or with the bank, enabling the exchange of unwanted resources for more useful ones.
The basic game is designed for 3 to 4 players which can be shorted to 2 or increased to as many as 6 with the purchase of expansions. An average game of Settlers should take between 60 and 90 minutes and is designed for anyone 10 years old to adult. The goal of Settlers of Catan is to earn a set of amount of victory points in one turn, based on the cities that a player controls.
Dominion – Using Cards to Conquer
Not all games require a board to play, and among the rising stars of card games is Dominion. Released in 2008, it has only been on the market a few years, but it has quickly grown in popularity. In Dominion, players use cards to represent their own kingdom and that kingdom’s growth. Players play cards to acquire buildings, mines, and other resources, in the quest to become the most powerful kingdom in the game.
Dominion is different than most other games in that the deck used in each game varies. When setting up the game, which resources are available is determined randomly. This allows for great replay value, even in just the starting set. With the great number of expansions available, the variation increases dramatically. The basic game supports 2 to 4 players, and a play time of roughly 30 minutes.
Ticket to Ride – All Aboard!
Many Americans love trains. Model railroads from historically significant to modern are as popular as ever. When Ticket to Ride was first published in 2004, it struck a cord with many Americans and has been popular ever since.
In Ticket to Ride, players take turns building railways connecting various points on the map. Each route is worth points, and the longer the route the more valuable it is. Each player also has a hidden goal that is revealed when the game ends, which is worth additional points.
Ticket to Ride is designed for 2 to 5 players, ages 8 and older. An average game should take 45 minutes or longer. Several additional versions of the board game have been released, featuring railways of Europe, Germany, or the Nordic Countries.
Word on the Street – Fighting Words
Word on the Street was released in 2009 and has won several awards in that short time, including Best Family Game from KSL-TV Utah, a Parents’ Choice Silver Award, and Top Gifts in Real Simple Magazine. The game is fast paced as teams try to make words that fit category cards using as many consonants as possible. With each word, the consonants are moved closer to that team’s side of the street.
Word on the Street is designed for 2 to 10 players, making up 2 teams. The game plays very quickly, with each game taking 20-30 minutes to complete.
Summary
Whether you are looking for a game to play with friends or a way to spend some time with the family, there are several great games available. From the competitive struggles of growing a country in Settlers of Catan and Dominion to riding a train across the country in Ticket to Ride or having a war of words in Word on the Street, many hours of fun can be shared with close or casual relationships. To enjoy the most fun with your friends and family, and the limited time available in modern hectic life, try a board game that fits your schedule and tastes at your local game and hobby store.
