Well, having played a lot of these three games over the past two or more years, my own personal favorite is DdW. All three games are wonderful so it is difficult for me to rate them, I would score them all 9 out of 10 (and that is only because I have yet to come across the perfect game). If I had to order them, the result would be 1st DdW 2nd E&T 3rd Samurai.

This is only my opinion and it may well change over time but as I said I have been playing them longer than most :-) I still find DdW the one I really want to play again.

The real beauty of all three is that there is so much you want to do during your turn, "so much to do, so little time" as one of our games group likes to mutter. They also seem to offer reply value and the effort you put into the games is rewarded by the enjoyment you get out.

Here are some of my reasons why I like each one.

DdW

This offers the easiest 'understanding' of the rules and objectives. The rules are really easy and the scoring straight forward, yet despite this the game offers a lot of choice and can be played in different ways. I find a real tension when playing the game, you have to balance long term scoring potential with short term gains. The game builds up to a climax as the game invariably ends before you expect it. I think a lot of non-gamers would enjoy DdW because of the simplicity as well as the gamers because of the tension it can create, all in under 45 minutes. Also apart from the initial layout of water holes there is no luck at all in the game.

During the game, you strive to achieve certain objectives (corner an area, connect to oasis, etc) but it is possible to change tack easy enough if the situation changes. Very often it is how well you can stretch without falling on your face, plus the more you keep your eyes open the better you will do. I can understand that some players may not like it as it comes across as to dry or as a 'quite' game. The choice of camel colours may also distract some players but for me it is my Game of the Year (or ten).

E&T

A lot has been said about this game as it is the oldest of the three and is considered by many as the game with the most depth (of the three in question). Just watching how the kingdoms ebb and flow, how they build up and then shatter apart is wonderful as it works as a game mechanic as well as reflecting reality. During the game you have to make the best of the resources you have and keep an ever watchful eye ready to grab the opportunity and make the right move at the right time. Getting to grips with the two types of conflict seems to take a couple of games and can be very difficult for new players. It is very often described as a gamers game and I think it does live up to that, not bad for a game that takes 45 to 90 minutes to play. Some may not like the complexity, the random tile draws or the 'hidden' scores but most agree it is worthy of the German Game Prize. Hans-im-Gluck have done a first class job with the production, the Mark&Sparks of the gaming world (English reference).

Samurai

Poor old Samurai, coming in at last place. Well remember that one of these three had to come last. It is not because it is a poor game that I rate it in third position but for some more obscure reasons. This is another truly wonderful game, it is amazing how all three of these 'tile placement' games are so different in style and play. I consider Samurai as a thinkers game, you have to watch what everyone is doing and react at the right time. From the very start of the game you have to try and stretch and get in as many early claims as you can, do you do this, do you do that, do I use a ship, so many options that actually do matter to your outcome. There is no breathing room in this game, no easy 'just place an odd tile here or there' route. It may be that in time Samurai will move above E&T in my list, who knows. For such a short game, under an hour, you cram in so many decisions but that is not unusual for all three games. As for the components, well even for Hans-im-Gluck we are talking class. Hmmm, hmm.

Development Watching the three games change during the playtesting has been fun. E&T went through the biggest changes, anyone remember Dictators and Revolutions? We did *not* like the original design, for very good reasons I think. While DdW did not start with camels, I do remember liking the potential from the very start. Samurai is strange in that I prefer the original (or at least the mid point) version more than the final version. Maybe that is why I place it third, because I know there is a better version :-) Maybe we will get the 'Directors Cut' one day. Sometimes the games went through big changes (E&T), sometimes they shrunk slightly (Samurai) but in all cases the end resulted in a top notch game.