Mattingly 2008-02-09

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

This is an add on, you can not play this game without regular settlers. It atkes a game or two to figure this out. But the movement from settlers to Cities and knights is mind blowing. It changes the game entirely do I build and hope to freeload from another players armies or do I protect myself...a great dilemma. Great way to teach kids about how the US govt is the world's babysitter. You get cards like arsonist where you can destroy opponets unprotected cities...so there is always a squabble.

Alan Holyoak 2008-01-31

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

"Cities and Knights of Catan" is an add-on version of the outstanding game, "Settlers of Catan". FYI - You must have "Settlers of Catan" in order to play this game.

Though this is an expansion of the basic game, "Cites" has it's own distinctive flavor during play. In this version of the game competing players still vie to accumulate points, but the total needed to win is 13, not 10 as in the basic game. Points can still be accumulated by building settlements and cities, and having the longest road, but you can acquire points in other ways as well. You may be fortunate to be able to build one of the three metropolis's in the game for 2 points. You can also earn points by being "The Defender of Catan." You do that if you have the most knights in your employ when the barbarians attack periodially throughout the game. On the downside, however, if you and the other players do not have more knights than cities on the island when the barbarians attack, then they sack one city of the player who has the least or no knights.

Other additions to the game include commodities. In the basic game you can collect the following resources - wood, brick, wheat, ore, and wool. In "Cities" you have the possibility of collecting commodities - cloth, paper, and coin. You use those commodities to race with other players to build the coveted metropolis', and to add to other game-related options.

There are no development cards in this version of the game, but there are action cards that turn up in increasing frequencies as you accumulate and spend more commodities, and as the dice are rolled.

You still wheel and deal with other players, and you have to watch out for the robber, so most of the fun of the original game is still there.

All in all, this game adds another level of complexity to life on the island of Catan, but a fun one.

This is a very nice addition to a great game, and if you like Settlers, you are also liekly to enjoy "Cities and Knights."

A solid four stars!

Butterfly 2007-12-28

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

this game is really fun! the rules seem a bit complex at first but once you get the hang of it it's no big deal. this game leaves a lot of room for strategy-making. there are several methods that can help you win the game.

a definite must have for lovers of the original catan

H. Haggart 2007-10-03

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Fabulous game, but it really helped that my family has played Settlers of Cataan so much. Knights and Cities has added several great levels of play to an already-excellent game. Be forewarned--game time nearly doubles.

H. Sperling 2007-09-27

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

This game is so much fun and has so many variables and opportunities. I recommend it to any one who would like to try something different.
A+++++