We’ve been playing Tigris & Euphrates a few times now and I think this is the first game we encountered in which your lowest score counts. It’s an interesting game mechanic for sure. It often happened that I had more than 20 points in military, but only 5 points in agriculture for example. It was interesting to compare the game to some other games we’ve played that are designed by Reiner Knizia. The game is a little bigger and more complex than some of the other Knizia games we’ve been playing like Qin and Age of War for example, The game actually feels like a meatier version of Qin, a favorite that often makes it to our table. Tigris has more depth to it though and seems to really shine with a group of veterans than just two beginners.
Tigris & Euphrates is the first in Fantasy Flight Games Euro Classic Line, which is interesting considering they also make big boxes full of miniatures kind of games. For us as new enthousiast to “the hobby” it’s nice that light is being shed on these dusty games, so we can enjoy them as well!
The next game in the Euro Classic Line is another Reiner Knizia game Samurai, with over 250+ games by Reiner, it seems they could be doing this for a while ;-).
Travel back to the ancient Mesopotamia in this tile placement game of rival dynasties. In this game you and other players are competing for land and most importantly: trying to strike a balance between commerce, agriculture, housing and religion. The lowest score in any of these categories counts as you final score, and that's certainly different and something you shouldn't forget while playing!
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Elias
This is hilarious! I’m gonna be using this logic for many years to come. Tigris & Euphrates is definitely my favorite game by Reiner Knizia. Although Lost Cities gets the most plays, and is a really fantastic 20 minute game. Even though the man himself can come off as out of touch, some of his games really hit the mark with me.
Well done 😀
Gertjan
Not wanting to split hairs, but your description of the ‘Knizia counting system” is not correct. It’s the “…highest lowest score…”, but as someone pointed out to me the rules description is a very elaborate way of saying: The winner is the one with the most sets (of each color).
So sorry to burst your bubble, but it is still a game where the winner has the most X, but i do understand you’ve been mesmerized by the paradoxal sounding description 🙂
Rachel
Yes, a player’s personal lowest score in the different categories counts as their final score. I might need to add the word personal to make that more clear. 🙂
Gertjan
My main objection still would be, that a person could have 0 points in a categorie and win by your definition, but not with the rules in mind.
Damn, still splitting hairs 😉
armstrong scherlies
Is there a way i can subscribe with just my email. I don’t’ follow any social networking.
P.s. love your stuff.
Nicolas
Personnaly, my favorite Reiner Knizia is Kingdoms but I’d like to try Blue Moon City. Seems like a nice building game 🙂 (and Knizia don’t do often this kind of game)
Gerhard Klein
My favourite is a game by Reiner Knizia is probably” Quo Vadis?” Fantastic game. It was also nice that is was up to 5 players so everyone in the family could play.
dawnmage
genius (bordgame) is also of docter knizia, and uses the same system (lowest set is your score). its realy annoying that you have to do evrything at least decent.