My family buys and plays a lot of games. I give Wongar my 'Best Game of 2002' rating (I bought it in 2002). It is exactly the type of game I like. I find the graphics soothing and atmospheric. The game has multiple layers of complexity and strategy. The more often I play, the more I discover new ways to try to score or advance my position. This gives the game great replay value.

The game has a very different feel when you play with two players vs. more. There are enough pieces so that five players can play at a time.

I am a big fan of German games, which seem to have a certain style to them. This is one of those games in which you have to plan ahead and make difficult choices about what to do--only to have your best laid plans destroyed by your opponent!

The rules are complex at first, especially since the English translation supplied with the game is less than perfect. I am thinking that this is why the game hasn't received more notice. The first few times we played the game we interpreted a few rules incorrectly. We've got it straightened out now and the game keeps getting better.

If you like abstract strategy games, want something different with a new atmosphere and great replay value, you'll like Wongar.

Happy gaming!

'Wrong' is the answer. I blame Randall (next review) for that, needing a clever title and all. And I agree with him on all of his points except one: Mr. Howe did not 'seem' to get the rule wrong, he absolutely did and as a result he did not play Wongar. This game was one of the most innovative board games to come out of Germany in the year 2000. It is a superbly designed game combining strategic dynamics with a high level of interaction.

Yes, forget the aboriginal theme that Mr. Howe so readily dismisses, but not the game. This is combat: mean, tense and nasty. At all times you must try to maintain a balance between your presence on the board and the power of cards in your hand. At the same time you must be aware of the position and potential power of your opponents. Temporary alliances must be struck to keep parity on the board, while at the same time seeking to create positions of advantage for yourself.

Bargaining and bluffing are an integral part of the game. This aspect has much of the flavor of the classic Sid Sackson game, Kohle, Kies & Knete. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to win this game on your own. You need to be able to create partners or allies. If you push out ahead on your own too strongly too soon, you force your opponents into alliances against you.

It is regretable that Wongar did not get the Samurai theme envisioned by Mr. Moon. It might have more readily drawn players into this game. But do not let this game slip by because the German market requires non-military themes. Let the Ancient be the Samurai and the Elder be the General. The discs, cubes and cylinders are spearman, archers and swordsman. The area cards are strategic opportunities on the battle field, the rituals are combat and the ritual cards are tactical choices.

Are you tired yet of gaming in Venice? Does archeology make your temple throb? Has city building put you in the dumps? Do you want a true test of 5 spielers' grit and gall? Seriously, this game has been grossly under-rated. If you have been living on Wolfgang Kramer (Kramer/Ulrich, Kramer/Kiesling, etc.,) games--and I love these games too--you want this game. It's on par with El Grande, more intense than Tikal, more interactive than The Princes of Florence (I know, so is solitaire on your computer), and Java... I need to play that one a few more times. This game fits in there yet is different, that strong KK flavor. Wongar belongs in your collection.