Favourite Games

We LOVE games! Games have got to be one of our favourite forms of entertainment. We're not talking about the Monopoly, Sorry kind of games, but rather quality board games. These cost more, however the replay value is huge, the piece are quality and the enjoyment level far exceeds the simple games found in Walmart, Toys R Us, etc. If you don't think you like playing games, you have probably just been playing the wrong kind of games... seriously!

I've been meaning to put together a list of favourite games for a long time and figured just before Christmas was a good time. Below is a list with a few details of some of our favourites (there are a lot more good ones in the games closet as well). All of the games below (unless otherwise noted) can only be purchased at a specialty game store (not Walmart, Toys R Us, etc). If you have a game in mind, call the store to make sure it's in stock before going.

Ticket to Ride is a great game for people who like games but aren't that into them (yet). If you like Settles of Catan, etc, you are guaranteed to like this one. There are several versions (North America, Germany, Europe, Nordic Countries, Swiss) as well as the 1910 Expansion. This game is easy to teach and learn. The concept is to build train routes across the board. Great replay! If you're just getting into games or already love them, this is a great buy! I expect to see this game in Toys R Us in the next couple of years. It's available in almost all game stores and costs around $50-60.Cartagena is a great game! This game is pretty hard to find and not well known, which is strange since it's so good. Everyone who has played this game with us has loved it, however I guess that's the case with most of these games. This game is the easiest of all our games to teach, set up and play. A game takes about 20-30 min, so there isn't a big commitement (great for nap times). We love how this game doesn't have a lot of pieces and is so easy for newbies to learn. Even if you're not into games, this is a great one. The concept is to get all your pirates on the boat. This game is pretty cheap )under $30.

Blokus is another great one for people who aren't really into games. It can be found in Walmart, Zellers, Toys R Us, etc and costs aprox $25-30. This game was introduced to us by Michael and Rebecca. You can play it with 2-4 people. The concept is simple, try to end up with as few tiles as possible. There's really only one rule, place a tile making sure that it touches a corner from a previously laid tile (sides can't touch). This is a puzzle game. Each game is fairly quick, easy to learn and teach. Lost Cities is my favourite 2 player game! The game is basically a card game with a discard board. You're trying to complete adventure missions. There are about 3 rounds in a game. Pretty easy to teach and learn. If you come to visit us you are guaranteed to play this game with me at least a couple of times while David is at work and the kids are sleeping. This game costs about $25-30.

Bohnanza is one of our best games for lots of people (up to 8). It's fully a card game (no board). The idea is that you're planting and harvesting beans for points. Pretty easy to learn. We like how the box is small so that it's easy to bring to get togethers, travel, etc. Costs aprox $25-30.

Finca is one of our newer games. The concept is to get points by collecting fruit. This game is fun, easy to learn and not very intense. Costs aprox $40.

Alhambra was a game that surprised me. At first glance of the game and rule book, I didn't think that I would be a big fan. However play is easier than it appears and it's fun. You collect money and purchase tiles to build your city "Alhambra." I haven't really figured out the strategy in this game yet. Every player in builing their own city square so there isn't any competition with others (good for sore losers). This game is under $50.

Thurn and Taxis is a game about building postal routes. Notice all the varying themes in each game? No two can be alike. Anyways, this game consists of a board, pieces, cards, etc. Again, easier than it appears. This game is great for people who already like games. I can't remember the cost of this game, I'm guessing around $40.

Agricola is one of our favourite games. However, this one is only for those that LOVE playing games. If you're new at high end games or like games without a lot of thinking, then this one isn't for you. The replay value in this game is huge! No two games are ever alike! There are a ton of piece for this game and the set up takes awhile, as does the play. Agricola is a farming game. It will take a few plays to really get the hang of it. Since everything takes so long with this game, we haven't played it much this past year. With kids there never seems to be quite enough time. This games costs aprox $75.

LeHavre is pretty similar to Agricola, but simplifed. Instead of farming you are shipping supplies. David likes this game more than I do. I think it's probably because I haven't really figured out how to win yet. This game costs aprox $60.

Dominion is one of our newer games as well. This game is an all card game. It looks pretty intimidating at first, but I soon learned that it's not that bad. I woudn't say this is one of my top 5 games, but it's fun to play. Not surprisingly, this is one of David's favourites (the cards are a little similar to Magic the Gathering).

Puerto Rico is a game that we've had for awhile but just haven't had the chance to learn. We've played it a few times in the last couple of days and I think I'm a fan. This game (as well as Agricola) scored in the top two for favourite games on Board Games Geek for the last couple of years. There's quite a few pieces to this game, and is best for people who already play games. Puerto Rico costs aprox $50.

No favourite list is complete without mention of Settles of Catan and Carcasonne. Both are building games. Carcosonne is the above pictured game. Both can now be purchased at Toys R Us.

Since most people who visit our blog live in BC... our favourite game store is in Surrey and is called Craving for a Game, http://www.cravingforagame.ca/ The man who owns and runs the shop is beyond helpful. This guy knows games like no one else! Here's the best part, you can order your game online as well, they have $10 flat rate shipping to anywhere in Canada and $15 flat rate shipping to anywhere in the USA. Considering how much it is to drive out to pick up the game, I would pay the shipping.

If you have a question about a game please feel free to ask. We're not experts by any means, but we'll do our best to help. Don't forget that Youtube is a great place to watch game playing tutorials if you're stuck on figuring out a new game.

Hope that all helps someone out there in search of the perfect gift.