Game 16: Stone Age

 Years ago when we first got into what I call "Gamer Games" (instead of just Cribbage, Hearts, Spades, Mastermind, Othello, etc.) we played a lot of Settlers of Catan.  We loved the game, but it could be REALLY frustrating because you could get stuck in a position where you couldn't get any resources and could end up sitting there for 30 to 60 minutes absolutely stuck and just watching other people play.  Your turn would come around, you'd roll the dice, and you'd find that, once again, you couldn't do anything, and you'd just pass the dice.  To me Stone Age feels a lot like Settlers but without that awful possibility of getting really stuck.  There's always something you can do; you don't always get your first choice of things, but the lead passes with each turn, so you regularly do get first choice.  There are also cards that cause all players to get resources, and even if it isn't your turn to go first and even if one of those cards doesn't come up, there's always something open for you to do.  If we had to list current favorite games for our family I'm quite sure Stone Age would make the top 3.
 The images above and below are of the individual player card - at the beginning and then partway through the game.
 Below is an image of the initial set up of the main board and then an image of the board partway through the game when players are choosing what they want to go for that turn.

This game is particularly well-balanced.  There are so many options to choose from in terms of strategy - some of which are to grow your family/tribe (which has multiple benefits) or to go for resources in order to build huts - but trying to go big early on is balanced out by the need to attain enough food to feed the members of your family/tribe each turn.  There are many different ways in which to earn points.  I usually play offensively, looking only at my own game-play, but I noticed Jacob playing somewhat defensively tonight and doing some blocking, which is probably wise.  There are just lots of choices and possibilities throughout.  I also like the story aspect, and I find that while I play I do feel a bit like I'm in a tribe that is trying to gather enough food and trying to build up their dwellings and technology in order to survive and thrive.

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