When I started collecting European games this was among the first games I got. I enjoyed playing it and then give it up as I discovered other games. Recently reading the reviews I decided to bring Cartagena out again. It is a great game and I now wonder why did I ever put it on the shelf. Naming the pirates is a great idea!!! It has brought new exictiment to playing the game in hopes of getting to name another pirate. It also leads to new strategies such as if I can't win at least the named pirate is getting on the boat.

So, far I have only played by the hidden card method which I find to be a fun way to play. If Hare and Tortoise is not you game Cartagena very well could be. I found Hare and Tortoise too difficult to play but, Cartagena is a game everyone can enjoy.

This is a fun different kind of game to play. We haven't played anything quite like this. The rules are easy to learn and it plays quickly for the most part. We love the idea of placing the sturdy large tiles together before game play to create the game board itself. It is different each time, and is just part of the reason we haven't seemed to get bored with this game since we got it over a year ago.

We love Cartagena! I also also recommend Alhambra, Acquire, and Mexica. Even though they are completely different type games, they would be a great addition to your collection.

Played once with 4 players. Fun, short, light game. I won, so maybe that biased my opinion. Don't be scared off by the pirate theme - it's not a strong theme (no blood, fighting, looting, etc.) - this would be fun for kids and family too.

Easy to learn, fun to play, high interdependency between moves of players and others, element of racing to the finish line, multiple options in each turn, etc, etc.

We never tire of this game and appeals to kids, teens, adults, gamers and non-gamers!

Try this one. Someone will thank you for it!

As the title suggests it's a pretty simple game with interesting rules. The game provides 2 differnt kinds of varients, one offering more strategy, and the other more luck. The game can be explained in roughy 5-8 minutes and takes about 15-25 minutes for about 3 players.

I give this a 4 star because sadly, the components aren't of very great quality, the cards are very easy to rip and the box is too large for the actual game. This may be nit-picking but over all the game is still worth the price if you want a quick family game that you can explain without too much of a problem.

- L.T.

I admit a bias towards games designed by Leo Colovini first off. Many of his games employ simple but clever methods of gameplay that move the game from what could be a simplistic excersize of luck and a little skill into a real workout for the ol' brain.

Cartagena was a game I held off buying for several years, thinking it was just to simplistic. I was wrong. The game is fun, plays quickly, and has just enough depth to make you think through each move.

Is it a 'masterpiece', a 'classic', 'better than chess'? Certainly not. But it is a very good game, and makes a superb filler between games of Perto Rico or Game Of Thrones, or even chess!! We play with all cards showing, whcih is really the way to go.

I am glad I finally picked this up, and it has since seen many playings with a variety of gamers. 4 stars it has earned. Thanks Leo!