Each year, I traipse to Essen with several key questions in mind. "Will Moskito have a new game?", "Can Reiner Knizia maintain his extraordinary standards?", "What will Alan Moon be wearing?" and "Will Hartmut Witt have the follow-up to Koalition ready?". The answers at Spiel '98 were: "No", "Yes", "Suit", "No, but ...".

Ultimately, Hartmut will forever be lauded or lumbered by Koalition, a quite brilliant mix of skill and strategy shrouded in a powerful theme, and a game I would have thought difficult to "top". And whilst Löwendynastie is rudimentary in comparison, it does provide an intriguing set of objectives.

Each player assumes the role of a Lion family, and attempts to ascend from cub to King. And although Löwendynastie is a simple trick taking game, this venture is fraught with quirks and uncertainty.

Having laid claim to the number '1' card of a specific family (there are 10 in total), the trick is then taken is the traditional manner. However, there are several diversions. These are:

• Each winning trick prompts a move up the lineage ladder.
• It is the number of tricks that prompts this ascent.
• Whenever a card marked '7-9' is played, a new colour may be introduced (like Hat Trick in principle). There is one proviso. These cards are marked with the "male" and "female" symbol, and, unlike members of Britain's Labour party, lions of the same sex may not co-habit.

Jokers -- The Mouse is a traditional replacement card, whilst The Net "covers" all cards except another net. It can be trumped by the Lion cub (value '1') or Mouse, and can win a trick if all other players pass.

At the end of each round (when all cards have been played), the number of tricks won is added to the current ranking of the player, and that card (of the corresponding colour) is recovered from the pack. This detail contributes a particularly nifty element to the game, because a winning trick prompts the '1' cards into the deck, which, of course, provide limited opportunities except when devouring a Net.

In a typical piece of Witt thinking, the acquisition of rank '10' (by any player) cues an additional round, when any other player who reaches '10' wins, replacing the original incumbent. An example is in order:

Fluffy Mike is at rank '7', wins three tricks and takes his specific '10' card. The final round now begins. Bruce (currently at '8') steams in with four tricks, and assumes the mantle (Fluffy Mike leaves the table). But, with cards still left, Ginger Mike also attains '10', moving from '9' with the final, and ultimately, winning trick. This knockout element is huge fun, and requires a reflective look at respective rankings to see whom might sneak in at the death.

Löwendynastie has been well-received, and offers a slightly more cerebral "closer" than usual. There has been a minor smattering of criticism about the graphic approach to the game (stand up Mike Siggins), but I thought the cards bright and attractive, with their purpose clearly defined. I note that the artwork is by Jürgen Martens, and not Hartmut's usual compadre Andreas Steiner.

An even more encouraging note can be seen by the game's publisher Adlung, who have quietly swept to the top of this niche market with not only Löwendynastie, but sister games Verräter and Titanic.