Our gaming group plays a variety of strategy games (from the abstract, tile playing Tigris and Euphrates to the well-balanced Puerto Rico to 4-6 hour campaign war games such as Attack), but this simple, yet deep 4 player (2 on 2) chess-like game stands out as our favorite. Weve played about 15 games, and each time has been a blast. This game comes with a two-sided board one side has the standard two-player version (the same Stratego youve always known, except with different graphics), and the other side has the 4-player version that makes this edition of Stratego so special. The 4-player game (consisting of two teams of 2) takes the essentials of the original classic Stratego and adds a few extra dimensions. You start with 13 pieces (including your flag) and sit directly across from your teammate (your opponents are on your left and right). To win, you must capture both of your opponents flags, or meet your flag with your teammates flag somewhere on the board. You see, in the 4-player game, everything is movable including flags and cannons (which shoot pieces that are 3 unobstructed spaces away from it in any direction). Other twists: a cavalry 6 piece that can move two spaces, a stockade in which an opponents flag is held (which can also be rescued by your opponent), and the ability to rescue up to 2 (non-flag) pieces during the course of the game. So if you lose your 10, 9, or cannon, the game is by no means over. Our group enjoys the Lightning 4 player version, which lasts on average about 60-75 minutes. Other slightly longer 4 player versions allow you to place pieces from a reserve army (selected prior to starting the game) when you successfully attack another piece. The rules are short and very easy to learn which makes the game easy to pick up after a long layoff. A House Rule easily remedies the only criticism I have of the 4-player game. That is, there are three lake squares directly in front of your army that cannot be traversed. It is clear (to our gaming group anyway) that the primary purpose of these barriers is to prevent a Scout from flying across from one end of the board and capturing your flag (makes sense). The problem is that these barriers divert all pieces to the corners of the board, leaving the middle largely unused. Our House Rule solves this dilemma by allowing the lakes to be traversed by all pieces except the Scouts. With that simple change, the board opens up and the battles and placing of pieces becomes more strategic. Highly recommended!

Ultimate Stratego is much better than classic Stratego because it has more fun, excitement and takes much shorter time to play than the classic edition does.