Diplomatic at last! (Diplomacy)

Member Name: Elevenses

Product:	Diplomacy
Date:	29/03/04 (93 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gripping game, up to 7 players can play, aesthetic board and pieces

Disadvantages: stressful double bluffing!, Can be a lengthy game, Takes some playing to develop strategies

There is great excitement in our house as, after at least ten years of adulthood in a diplomacy-free environment we have finally rediscovered the board game we loved as teenagers! We actually found it on holiday in the States and bought it for the equivalent of £25. I guess we could have found it here if we’d looked hard enough – we have certainly found a couple of good online versions.

But – for all you still in the dark what is it?

Well, it’s a board game. The board bears a picture of Europe and Russia with supply centres marked thereupon. You get to be one or several countries depending on the number of players and the aim is to “capture” everyone else’s supply centres and thus gain territory. In essence it’s a war game, but gains its excitement from its potential to include up to 7 players.

All moves occur simultaneously as each player writes down the moves they hope to undertake and these instructions are revealed together. If the secret instructions are possible ie if no-one else has planned a similar move, then the board is updated. If you attack a territory with more units than those that occupy it then you capture it. Similarly, if your territory is invaded and your troops are outnumbered you’re for it!

Another exciting element of the game is the board itself since the pieces are small coloured metal sculptures. You get fleets (ships) and armies (a cannon) and can move these around the board to record your position.

For added intruigue, the best way to win is to make deals with your fellow players. by combining forces. However, you can't be sure that your new alllies will actually maintain their side of the bargain!

Be warned: this game is not for the faint hearted! It is a game of strategy; collusion and double bluffing and can be extremely stressful or
extremely exciting depending on your temperament!! It can also be a lengthy game a
nd thus is worth setting up somewhere in the house and coming back to it each day (making it an excellent e-mail game if you have a board!)

To surmise: a great game of strategy and brain power which gets better the more you play. Have a go – see what you think!

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