Tile-laying games are almost always soothing by nature, but the best of them, likeCarcassonne, feel dire at the same time. Named for the beautiful French settlement established in misty B.C.E., the game sees playerstending the fields, roads, and fortifications of its namesake turn-by-turn. The expansion adds new ways to gain rubies. There are also new things to do on your turn with the guild cards. The tavern location with its barrier tile adds more player interaction. Meanwhile, the Letters & Seals expansion adds another four locations to visit, as well as kiosk cards, new bonus cards, letter tiles, companions and couriers. This can be combined with the Mocha & Baksheesh expansion. Letters provide an additional way to gain rubies. Letters delivered to specific locations are flipped to reveal seals. These seals can be traded in to gain rubies. Players also have access to a companion which can be moved instead of your merchants. The companion is an independent piece and doesn’t require assistants.

The game is filled with some very brief, but very tense strategic decisions, and can be played in a fraction of the timethatTwilight Struggle can. Playdek has once again done a masterful job translating a board game into the digital space, and this is a great experience for two if you’re looking for something with a lot of depth and strategy, but you don’t havemuchtime.If you enjoy your historical re-enactment, our best mobile war games list will suit you well. Pay 7 Lira into the general supply to take a Wheelbarrow extension from the Wainwright and place it in your Wheelbarrow. Note: When taking Bonus cards with this action (and only with this one), you may also take them from the top of the face-up discard pile. Fountain Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game Nominee | Board Game Honor | BoardGameGeek". boardgamegeek.com . Retrieved 2019-01-31.Being a successful merchant in Istanbul is not all plain sailing. You have your wayward cousin to contend with. He is trying so hard to be successful but things just don’t work out and he regularly finds himself a guest of the local constabulary. In Istanbul: Digital Edition, we have kept all of the things that made Istanbul the game beloved by fans, but also expanded upon it with a number of tools and features only available on the digital platform. We maintained the authentic board game feeling with the convenience you can expect from the digital platform. Right from the start, Istanbul will wow you with its sumptuous artwork. There is so much colour yet it is never garish or over the top. The setting is definitely not what you would call “modern day accurate” but it is definitely much more in the style of a Hollywood movie representation of what they think Istanbul should have looked like in the 30’s and 40’s.

Final Score: 5 Stars – This game is clearly deserving of its Kennerspiel des Jahres award, and will continue to get a lot of play at my table. I would like to give my congratulations to Mr. Dorn on a great game. Move the Goods indicator of the respective good as far to the right as possible. If you have the green Mosque tile, you may pay 2 Lira to gain 1 additional good of any type. Post Office In recent years however, probably due to the wealth of quality games being published, the jury committee created a secondary award, called the “Kennerspiel des Jahres”, or “Connoisseur Game of the Year”. This award is usually reserved for more complex, or “gamers” games. In 2014, that award went to a game called Istanbul. If you have the red Mosque tile, you may turn one die to "4" after the roll or re-roll both dice. Tea House In Istanbul, players represent merchants in a Turkish bazaar who work to be the first to acquire five rubies (six in a two-player game) and win the game. Players move around a 4×4 board of tiles with the help of their assistants, acquiring goods and lira (coins) that can eventually be swapped for rubies, or can be used to fulfill certain other tasks that will earn one ruby each. The board can change each game, and the presence of two different types of currency means there are several varying paths to victory, all readily apparent upon one or two plays—at least three rough strategies: money-centric, goods-centric, and one built around achievements.Istanbul may initially seem confusing, given all the various tokens and markers. To be honest I think the only real negative in this game is that it can be quite fiddly to set up. You will however be pleasantly surprised. By approximately half way through your first game you will realise that you have not looked at the rule book in ages and you just know how it works. Helpfully the Rule book has a suggested starting layout. This is a very good starting point for learning the game. It also contains an “advanced” layout which makes the game much more difficult. Istanbul is a magical city of culture and history, and what better way to get to know its wonders than through board games? Board games offer a unique and fun way to explore the vibrant culture of Istanbul, as they bring people together to share in the experience of discovery and connection. By playing board games, you can learn about the local culture, from the history to the language, the food and the sights. Not only do board games give you an opportunity to explore Istanbul in a new way, but you can also spend quality time with family and friends, making lasting memories. Plus, you can find a variety of board games to choose from, so no matter what your interests or age, you can find the perfect game to explore this amazing place. From strategy and strategy-based games to family-friendly ones, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and get to know Istanbul through board games. 6. An Introduction to Istanbul Board Games: Rules and Strategies Note: With 5 players: Only place 4 Rubies on each of the Mosques. With 3 players: Remove the tiles with 5 symbols from the game. With 2 players: Remove the tiles with 3 and 5 symbols from the game. Istanbul manages to cram a lot into its smaller than average box. This is going to give you a lot of game for not a lot of money (always a good thing). Inside the box you will find:

When you add in the variability created by using random tile layouts, the replay ability factor of this game goes through the roof. In closing, I’ll simply repeat what I revealed at the beginning of this review: I simply love this game. It’s widely available now, so treat yourself to a fun gaming experience with Istanbul! On your turn, you may play any number of Bonus cards. Place every used or discarded Bonus card on the face-up discard pile on the Caravansary 6. Post Office: This space offers an ever-changing assortment of goods and money for the player to receive.

Gain 1 red or 1 yellow or 1 green good. Roll both dice: If you rolled 7 or 8: Gain 1 blue good. If you rolled 9 or 10: Gain 2 blue goods. If you rolled 11 or 12: Gain 3 blue goods. I’ve said before that race games have a tangible vitality that can elevate them beyond counting victory points, and Istanbul is no different. The players pinball around the board, collecting and trading goods for rubies, grasping for any advantage to edge them in front of their opponents. Yet the journey from start to finish is worthy in and of itself. It’s fun to think about where to go next, what you’ll get in return and what that means in terms of rubies. It may be a race but the course is as good as the finish line. 2. Wheelbarrows! Explore Istanbul in a new way with a tour of the city through board games! Gather your family and friends for an exciting and interactive adventure in the beautiful city of Istanbul. By playing board games, you can learn about the history, culture, and architecture of Istanbul in a fun and creative way. You can immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of the city, feel the energy of the locals, and explore the city like you never have before. From family-friendly games to complex strategy games, there is something for everyone. With the help of a guide, you can discover the hidden gems of Istanbul, learn about the city’s fascinating past, and even create your own stories about the city. Bring your friends and family together and embark on a journey through Istanbul with board games!