Nov
29
China
Theme Week: Chock-o-block Schacht
In a 2004 interview, designer Michael Schacht said, “I am a big fan of games with few rules.... I prefer a rules structure that also permits poor play. After all, one should be able to learn a game and improve with each play. That has the disadvantage, though, that some of my games aren’t completely understandable during the first play.”
Designer: Michael Schacht
Publisher: Uberplay
Year Published: 2005
Price: $34.99
Playing Time: 45 minutes
Number of Players:
3
4
5
Age Range:
10-up
Family
Game Type:
Area control
Route building
When you think of games related to China, Mah Jong might be the first thing that comes to mind. You’ve seen actors playing the game in movies, slapping down the chunky tiles and collecting the scoring sticks from opponents.
The pieces in Michael Schacht’s China can’t compare to the heft of ivory (or ivoryish) tiles, but they have a charm all their own, especially the top-heavy councilors that tend to fall on their side and spin around like a breakdancer. The game itself also bears little relation to the country China. Aside from the province names, the vaguely Asian-looking wooden houses, and the striking box cover, China is essentially an abstract game that shows off Schacht’s fondness for connection games with simple rules.
China’s gameboard features a map of the country that’s divided into nine provinces; one of the provinces is colored purple, while the remaining …
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