Diplomacy is a 7 player game or negotiation. There are no discrete randomizers in the game. Like Risk the goal of the game is to control territories (actually specific territories labels "supply centers"), but you do it by writing down orders for all of your pieces. Pieces that move in spaces occupied by opposing piece, or two that try to switch places or two try to move to the same space cause a "standoff'--which means they don't move.

In addition, you can order pieces to support other pieces (yours or other, players!), which means they don't move but give their strength to the other piece. Between turns, you negotiate you spend 15 minutes to get them to help you, arrange alliances, mutual planning, issue warnings or threats or demands, etc.

Diplomacy is an excellent game, IF: - You have exactly 7 players. It doesn't really work well with any other number. (Though variants exist.) - You don't mind the possibility in being knocked out early. You are mature enough to realize that though others will lie to you for sake of the game, they do not mean it personally. (A lot of people have trouble with this!)

Most people prefer to play this by mail or e-mail (go to rec. games. diplomacy for info) which solves the first two problems. The third problem depends on you. And makes the game more of a time and effort commitment.

Puerto Rico is very good new "German" game (Most games from Germany feature relatively simple rules and short playing time, but very clever strategies)

Each player has an option selecting one of 7 different actions on their turn. All of the other players will get the same action. Then next player chooses one of the 6 remaining, etc. until all players have selected.

The various actions allow you:

build "plantations" to allow production of raw materials--if they are manned.
gain colonists which are needed to activate building and pro- duce raw goods.
build buildings which allow special actions/allow production of goods--if they are manned.
Produce goods, if you have manned plantations and production buildings.
Make money (which you need for buildings) by selling good.
Score Victory Points by shipping goods to Spain.
Receive a small amount of gold by prospecting (this is the only action that no one else can copy.)

There is no direct combat in Puerto Rico, but there is interaction in the form of choosing actions that others are, not ready for, choosing an action that the later players cannot also do Oust build the last available building that they want, etc.) Puerto Rico is a great game, but it may take awhile to appreciate if you have not played other games.

Some other games games you might be interested: - If want something like Risk, but a little more complexity: simple wargames like Axis & Allies, Battle Cry, Queen's Gambit, History of the World, etc. might be a good choice. - If you want to get into German type gaining: Settlers of Catan, El Grande, Carcassonne, Tikal, Torres, Acquire - If you like railroading: Empire Builder/Iron Dragon (these are a series of similar rail games played on different maps), Silverton But there are a myriad of choices for any taste.