Lightweight game with few interesting choices. All four of the others are more compelling. I'd be stunned if this one wins.

...Sheylon
www.boardgamebabylon.com

This is a nice little game, but I think it could get kind of same-y fast.

I like it.

This game certainly LOOKS cool, and I'm a fan of some of TH's games, but there just isn't much buzz for this around here. I'm really curious - would like to here from those that have played.

I finally got to play this a couple of times, and it's pretty bad. It certainly looks nice, but turns out the rules translation is very poor and there are two rules we got wrong. One is that you can move guards to any palace, not just an adjacent one (this is flat out wrong in the rules which explicitly state "next" but clarified in a thread here on the Geek). And the other is that you can place a thief when one of your own guards is at the palace, and EITHER a neutral or opponent's guard is also there (the rules seem to say there must always be a neutral guard -- again, a very poor translation).

So I'll give this game another try with the rules clarifications but I'm not too hopeful. It's too long for what it is, or else there isn't enough going on for the amount of time it takes (45 minutes to an hour).

I only got this game based on the SdJ recommendation and I certainly regret it. Any number of other games should have been nominated in its place.

I think this one will be the winner. A children's game that's also playable by adults. (See Villa Paletti etc.) And don't forget the Panda factor...

Just a guess, but I'd agree that Zooloretto is the front-runner. It seems to nail the SdJ demographic: it has simple rules, plays in under an hour, and has a well-implemented and family-friendly theme. It most seems like the sort of game that would bring a non-gamer into gaming.

While the other selections seem like very good picks, Arkadia and Yspahan each seem to have one rule too many to be perfect SdJ winners. Jenseits is a tiny bit long. And Thief seems a bit abstract. So while all are plausible winners, I think Zooloretto gets the best odds.

While I think Yspahan has an good chance, the lower price point of Zooloretto and broad family appeal of the theme certainly make this a contender. From what I have read, it is a very good game as well. I hope to be able to try it soon.

I'm quite pleased about this nomination.

After I decided that I should upgrade my playing experience to more than just Talisman, I had a look through games which I thought looked fun to play.

I picked up a copy of Citadels in a trade as it looked quite interesting and then looked at getting a copy of Zooloretto. It reminded me of Theme Park for the PC which I loved and fits the bill of being a game with simple mechanics. I can't wait to get hold of it to be honest.

The kind that shoots lasers out of its eyes!

for this one. A lot of people like Yspahan, but I don't know...even though Yspahan is a good game, it may be too abstract to win SdJ. This one is very thematic and has a god amount of luck in it (from what I read). I have it on pre-order and I am looking forward to play it soon.

I'm concerned about the luck element in this game. When I read the rules a couple years ago it sounded like there was a high luck factor. Anyone know if the new version is less luck-heavy?

I'm hoping for this one to win...

I have yet to play this game, but I've checked out the components, rules, and the game description, and I have to say this game looks very interesting. Even if it doesn't win the SdJ, this looks like a game I would very much like to have. The archaeology theme sounds interesting. I was thinking that Yspahan would be the obvious winner, but now I'm not so sure. I'll just have to wait and see.

I have only played this new version, but I have been told that the luck factor has been slightly toned down and certain aspects of the game have been simplified (Exhibitions).

The game is fairly simple, but extremely thematic with very nice components. Maybe a little long, but you really do not notice while you are playing. Although the random luck-driven drawing of the tiles can be a little frustrating at times, I thoroughly enjoyed this game. I even had fun losing!!

While Yspahan is an excellent game, my personal favourite for the SdJ this year HAS to be this one!!!

My non-existent vote is for this one. I like this very much indeed.

This is the one I'm rooting for.

My choice for SdJ 2007. But I won't be surprised either way, given the lousy choice they made last year.

Everything about this game is great! It has my vote

Excellent game, but I suspect it's a little too serious and non-thematic to win.

My choice...my favorite game this year.

I have played the PC VERSION. Nothing special.

aladdinsdad, I gave you a thumbs up - but that was for your wife. For three reasons:
a) playing board games (you and I have something in common!);
b) being clear about what she likes;
c) liking Yspahan; I've played it and it is certainly a winner in the Spiel des Myself category.

Spiel des Myself is a list of my all-time favourites; currently including Blue Moon City, Alhambra, Citadels, and San Juan.

I'd be really disappointed to see this one win, especially over Arkadia. It's a very dull game, with a pasted on theme.

It's a good thing I'm not a betting man...

Wasn't it The Kaleidscope Classic that was recommended here?

Because enkounter is the game within the box..

Anyway, as an Australian, I want this Aussie company to take a bow.
They have some really challenging puzzles and games..

Does anyone know if this is the first ever Australian invented puzzle game to make it to this prestgious list?

A game that belongs onto the children list (smiley is towards Jury, not you Simon)

Another children's game on the family list.

Great news! This looks like it could be a real hoot - if it is not too brain-burny

OK, first... children are part of families, too. Right?!

Now to the meat of the discussion... Burg Appenzell (The Castle of Appenzell) is an SdJ recommendation that works GREAT for adults. It's like some oddball cross between Torres (AP + multiple figures moving about doing things) and A-Mazing Labyrinth (what with the moving lower level of the board).

My six year old son is having a blast with this - but the fact that a six year old enjoys a game does not automatically relegate to "kiddie" status. Sheesh.

Personally, I think this would have been a great nominee.

It has language neutral components AND English rules in the box. They have not, sadly, translated the brochure for Appenzell cheese.



It is.



It isn't. There's some memory involved, but not so much as to hose over your average adult. I haven't got to play w/four players yet, but I think there's going to be some real sneakiness in blocking people. I'm guessing that the sweet spot for the game will be 3 players.

...and with this selection, I officially serve notice of my suspicion that the Jury indulges in controlled substances.

This game is Terrible!

pk

I haven't played this one. Must be a great game, though. I mean, it's a Bingo variant. How cool is that?

Excellent choice. A nice little game with some beautiful reproductions that deserves to be better known than it is (which is exactly the role that the Recommendations should serve).

I like this one quite a bit. I wouldn't mind seeing this, Arkadia or Yspahan win it.

This was only recommended, not nominated, so it can't win.

You sir, are correct. My mistake... but I still think this is a wonderful game.

I like this light family games, it had a beautiful colourfull design.
But i think Yspahan makes more chance.

Has any of you guys played this game with 6 players? I only played it with this high number of players and it definitely sucked..
A typical game where the design was more important than the game in my opinion...
I am "glad" that this isn't on the list of the nominated games
Ciao,
Simon

I've played it with 5 players and we had a great time. In fact the game plays well with only 2 or 3 players too. I would much rather have seen this get nominated over Arkadia (also a "hybrid" game where you are building and doing something else, in the case of Arkadia, it's stock investment and in Die Saulen it's building and choosing action cards).

I'm the only one on BGG that likes this game. I was pleased to see it on any list.

You're not the only one here. Me and my gaming buddies love it as a starter.

My favorite so far, although it's "harder" than the others. The game plays very quickly for a pretty deep strategy game.

I think this one deserves one of the special awards like Caylus got.

Wikinger is actually my 2nd best game of 2007 so far. It's definitely heavier than Jenseits von Theben but a very good game in it's class. Easy to learn but hard to master.
If you enjoy the heavier games on the list I can really only advise you to check this game out. Again: for me it's one of the best of 2007!
Ciao,
Simon

Did you play the basic or advanced version? How many players?

I'm somewhat surprised that this didn't get an actual nomination; maybe it was considered too heavy? Perhaps they knew it would get another award (literature) and thus felt safe in keeping it off the main list?

I have only played two of the nominated games (Yspahan and Arkadia), but I think this one is way better then both of them. Yspahan I don't like, even though I kept playing it, hoping to like it, and Arkadia was just so-so in my book. I have not tried the other three, so right now, I just hope Yspahan does not win.

I blame the overblown wooden cathedral turn keeper.

This game really isn't that much heavier than Thurn and Taxis. Shame it didn't get a real nomination.

Harsh.

Very true, but harsh...

This one got ++++ from the Jury as entry threshold and Yspahan +++, but in my point of view there is a huge difference between them (in comparision of ++ for games like Zooloretto or Jenseits von Theben)

Click below
http://tinyurl.com/h89e6

this will clear things up a bit. The entry threshold is similar to BGG's "Game Weight". They use it as a gauge to rank how easy it is to learn and play the game. If you want to compare it to the game weight system over here, it would be something like

+ is a "1"
++ would be a "2"
+++ a "3"
++++ a "4"

Of course everything is subjective, and Yspahan should really be a ++

I have not played a lot of the current games, but from what I have, this would be my top pick. Ysaphan would be my #2. Need to try Notre Dame and Arkadia.

Maybe could win a special "heavy game" prize, like Caylus won last year?

I'm glad Imperial is getting some SDJ recognition even though it is far too heavy for the award. This game is truly amazing! I think it might be my favorite heavy game of the past 5 years. I'll find out for certain as soon as I get the time to play it more! :-)