Five Tribes

This game I was a bit hesitant. I mean...why buy an older game? Wow this game is 5 times fantastic. The title is kind of lame. But once we played it....boy did we enjoy it. It's strategic, you cannot plan too far ahead. Your next move could be lost by the previous player's move. It is fun, it can be long (due to analysis paralysis players). But it so worth it. I don't recommend paying $50+ for it.....it's more like a $30 to $40 investment. But well worth it

Played Five Tribes with two players and we loved it.

When it first came out, this game was described to me as the anti-worker placement game, because the mancala-like mechanic core to the game involves taking meeples off the board rather than putting them on. It's incredibly well-balanced, with multiple strategies for earning points and winning, so it's very easy to feel like you've played well without being in direct conflict with other players. I'd consider it a Top 10-15 game that every gamer should have as a staple to their shelf, along with things like Power Grid, Catan, Ticket to Ride, Dominion, Pandemic, and King of Tokyo; it's very well designed and plays well at multiple player counts. The biggest negative for me was always that a game called Five Tribes only went to four players - but the Whims of the Sultan expansion fixed that! In fact, this is one of the few games I know where the expansions, 'Whims' and Artisans of Naqala both make a really good base game even that much better. I strongly recommend both of them as additions to add complexity and player count, although the original game is certainly a very satisfying title without them.

Fantastic game! Thinky and crunchy but doesn't overstay its welcome

Kids (8 & 11) love the complexity and bidding to go first, or not. Also, the arguing over the best tribe to earn points is good family fun! I play with a handicap when playing with them since they are still figuring out the big picture. But yet another days of wonder game that entertains all of us.

Great family game. Getting your head around the special powers of each color meeple and Djinns may take a few game plays, but smooth sailing once you get it. Multiple scoring paths and ways to win. A winner.

Already knew we loved this game, but the one thing I wasn't sure of with ordering was whether or not it would be the updated edition replacing slaves with fakirs (which we wanted). It is!

One of if not my favorite games, I may be a bit biased. I love the theme and while it's not integral to the gameplay it really shines in the artwork. The meeple movement in this game is like nothing in any other game, and each game is it's own puzzle. It rewards you for being able to see the best move on the board each turn and how much it's worth to you to bid on that move. Great game, with a good price here, I would recommend the expansion after you've played the base game a couple of times.

One of if not my favorite games, I may be a bit biased. I love the theme and while it's not integral to the gameplay it really shines in the artwork. The meeple movement in this game is like nothing in any other game, and each game is it's own puzzle. It rewards you for being able to see the best move on the board each turn and how much it's worth to you to bid on that move. Great game, with a good price here, I would recommend the expansion after you've played the base game a couple of times.

This game has a mancala feel to it, pick up meeples move them across the board placing one in each adjacent tile. Theres so many cool special combo's once one ends/lands on a tile. There can be some analysis paralysis issues for those who think to much about each move. Just have fun enjoy the game. Be sure not bid to much each round to go first, SAVE your money people, its worth VP at games end.