Tigris and Euphrates. Number 5 here on the Geek and with countless reviews, it is rare that a new review should make its way into the homes of very many. But I can try, right?

First, some backstory: I started out like many board gamers, foolishly caught up in Monopoly, Risk, Clue, Stratego, etc. This past summer, I flew up to my grandparents' for a couple of weeks. Their next door neighbor had acquired a Mayfair Tigris and Euphrates. My uncle and I were enthralled and spent a bit figuring it out.

After going through a few tutorial runs and the such, we played some games and we were instantly hooked. In a way, Tigris and Euphrates was my gateway game. Weird, huh?

Well, my grandmother recently arrived for Christmas and so we broke it out again. I can say that it is still one of my favorite Euro games.

So, on with the review:

Game Rules
Since you can find this on pretty much any other review, I won't bother writing out the game's rules. I will review them, however. Reiner Knizia's scoring systems are some of my favorite. They are weird to someone who has only played "classic" board games, but, once you get them, they are way more elegant (to use an overused term once more) and interesting than "how many armies do I have?". The tile-laying games are my favorites (read: I can't enough of Carcassonne) so it's a natural fit.

Game Components

Board:
For my Mayfair edition, the board looks painted almost in water colors. The board is beautiful to look at and catches the eye of gamers and non-gamers alike.

Tiles:
The tiles are really beautiful. Coming from moving pewter cars and plastic castles around, these don't pop out from the baord as much, but you can tell more care went into making them. My favorite of these is the Settlements Tile. It really does look beautiful.

Screens:
The player screens are more ornate in the Mayfair edition, I think. Truly, this is the one bad part of the game for me. I saw the Pegasus screens, and, frankly, I like the simpler stone-carving look of those over the ornate beautiful dynasty look of the Mayfair screens and I believe they are taller. (I haven't done a side-by-side comparison)

The Wooden Pieces:
The Monuments are sturdy and don't come apart. Ever. Even without glue, the monuments just work. The leader cylinders look great, too and I like the feel of them in your hand. The victory point cubes definitely aren't anything to say wow about, but they are nice for what they are, and they get the job done and keep the price down.

Game Experience:
So far when we play, we have a great time. It's not really so much a "fun whoopdee do" game, but it's not supposed to be. I love the mechanics, I love the strategy, and we have a good enough time being very competitive (my family, friends, and myself) that the game is enjoyable. Heck, I'd go so far as to say one of the MOST enjoyable games in my collection.

Game Rules: Hard to figure out for one who's thrown staright in from a Monopoly session. Get a proper gateway game first. Otheriwse, 8/10

Game Components: They won't do much for an Ameritrash gamer -- that's for sure -- but they will get the job done and make for a vibrant but subdued (does that make sense?) look on the board without having anything to tip over. 7/10

Game Experience: Definitely better with other tacticians on the same wavelength for joy of conversation over the game before and after. 10/10. If you are more of a silent type or a socializer (the two extremes), you're going to be having more fun with Monopoly or a light game of, say, Trivial Pursuit. There's not much here for one who uses games as a way of getting a conversation going. 6/10

I hope you enjoyed my first review!

Next Up:
Settlers of Catan

Be on the lookout!