Carcassonne

Followers can take many different roles in Carcassonne—knights, monks, farmers, or thieves—determined by the type of tile on which they're placed. Each role scores points differently, so you'll need careful planning to make the best use of your followers. For example, thieves are placed on roads and score one point for every tile making up that road. On the other hand, monks are placed in cloisters and score nine points—one for each tile surrounding the monastery—when the last of those nine tiles is placed. You have a limited number of followers and, once placed, you don't get them back until the feature they're on is completed. You'll need to consider whether to go for quick scores of low points that leave you with more available followers, or work toward higher points that commit your followers long-term.

With its simple yet rich game mechanics and eighty-four tiles that can be configured into numerous combinations, Carcassonne appeals to beginners and veteran gamers alike. This edition is entirely redesigned and modernized, and includes two expansions: The River and The Abbot.