I'm completely captivated by this game!

If you want a game where people sit silently and are polite to each other -- then don't play this game. If you want a game where you can play a fixed, tried and true, by the numbers strategies -- then don't play this game.

BUT, if you want a game where ONLY diplomacy can win; where lying, conniving, backstabbing and bluffing are considered good form; where fate can deal you a foul lot and you know that you can still win -- then play this game.

It's the rock star of games. A little brash, noisy, rough around the edges -- but it's where fun people go for hours and hours of delight.

This game is an essential for any household.

Not only is it fun and addidictive, but it also teaches us the real-world organizations that are influencing our lives everyday. These unseen puppet masters are the power groups that control all of the worlds power, money and politics. They are real.

They are everywhere.

They are watching.

Trust no one.

Great card-based game, where you can actually attack your opponents instead of just trying to 'outscore' them like in all of those clone-like, gay-feeling, point-counting Euro games.

Pros:

-Fast play, player-turns take under a minute usually.

-Funny groups, situations: maybe the mafia controls the phone company, for example.

-The power to actually do something, instead of hoping for some tile to turn up.

Cons:

-People get MAD, don't play with hotheads.

-You have to count-up points a lot to figure out attack rolls.

-It can take 2 hours to finish, which is harmful to the mental health of today's instant gratification crowds.