I've played about two-thirds of these titles. This series consistently produces high-quality games with excellent production values. I tend to look at this line of games like a bell curve - the majority of titles form a group of good solid games that in many ways have a similar feel to them. Then there are a few titles which are above or below average, and finally a couple of fringe titles that are either outstanding or just plain not good (I would say "bad", but that's a little too strong a term for these titles). My personal favorites are: LOST CITIES (I can get just about anyone to play this game...repeatedly) ROSENKONIG (This is a highly underrated and excellent little strategy game) BABEL (Presents players with lots of strategic options) BALLOON CUP (Very fun, but beware - the outcome can often be anti-climactic and predictable) LOTR: THE CONFRONTATION (Tense, fun, and melds beautifully with the LOTR theme) The few titles I dislike are: FINALE (Clever design and mechanics, but ultimately, it's really not much fun. There is no sense of accomplishment when you score a goal.) LOTR: THE SEARCH (Being an avid game collector, I hardly ever get rid of any of my games, no matter how unplayable they may be, but this one was so disappointing it got the big boot!) HERA & ZEUS (I know a lot of folks really like this one, but I just don't get it. I don't find this to be a very satisfying or interesting game.) SETTLERS OF CATAN: THE CARD GAME (This isn't a horrible game, but I thought I'd take this opportunity to counterbalance some of the inflated praise this title receives. IMHO this game has two major strikes against it: 1. There is almost no meaningful player interaction - it's basically two-player solitaire; and 2. It's far too long for what it is, especially when you consider the tediously repetitive game play. But I know I'm in the minority on this one.) As for all the other titles in this series... of the one's I've played, all of them would make a fine addition to anyone's gaming library. Keep on playing, Back to Table of Contents -- Game! # 3 To Game! List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2004 by George Phillies. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com