2010-6: El Grande (-3)
...and we're back to one of my old stand-bys. One of the first (and best) European-style games, El Grande.
Narrative Theme: 4. As an early example of the euro-game genre, El Grande typifies a standard euro approach to narrative theme: get rid of it. Indeed, its one tip of the hat to narrative theme, calling the various wooden cubes and cones in the game “Grandes” “Caballeros” and “Kings” (and, in the various expansions “Inquisitors” “Queens” and “Jesters”), simply serves to confuse the players. (As does calling the various areas where you can place cubes “Spain” “the Court” and “the Provinces”).
Mechanical Theme: 6.5. El Grande feels slightly less abstract than the last game I reviewed, Steam. This is totally illusory, but probably has something to do with the pretty map. In reality, it's a very basic area control game, where you're putting cubes (Caballeros) on a map of different Spanish provinces to represent how much political control you have over that province. And the game's central mechanics (the spinner secret-area-selector thingy, the tower, the bidding/special ability each turn cards, and the fact that no Cavalleros are allowed to go where the King is visiting) have absolutely nothing to do with this supposed theme. This is an abstract game with a pasted-on theme.
Price vs. Component Quality: 7.5. $39 for the “Decennial Edition” (read: several expansions come in the box as a bonus) is a fantastic price for this great game. The components are all top-notch. I still don't understand, though, why the King and Queen needed to be shaped like little wooden butt-plugs. Funny, but really random. Also, the “bonus” expansions, except arguably the build-your-own-bidding-deck expansion, don't add much, and may actually make the game worse. Luckily, you can play the base game for decades without getting bored.
Rule Complexity: 5.5. El Grande is one of my go-to “next step” games (after Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne, etc.). Bid with cards, take an action, place cubes. That's the whole game. Simple, elegant, lots of interaction.
Depth/Replayability: 8.5. This one's all about the “screw your neighbor” interaction, and the fluctuating bidding. Neither ever get old for me. Season with expansions to taste.
Mechanical Elegance: 8. One of the most elegant Euros of the last 20 years. 'nuff said.
Length vs. Enjoyment: 8. The game plays in around 90 minutes. That's just about perfect for my gaming group.
Other indefinables: The cube tower and spinner-selector thingy add a touch of toy value that take the game to the next level.
Best for: Anyone who calls themselves a gamer should own a copy of El Grande.
Avoid if: Area control games really aren't your thing. And, while I think El Grande is the perfect level of interaction and complexity, I suppose you could dial down to China for less of each, or Chaos in the Old World for more of each.