Memorising the underside of certain tiles definitely helps, but is not essential, meaning that anyone can play from the age of 3 and up, although the game is certainly illustrated with kids in mind.

The game is soon to be available in the UK, costing around £18. See www.isimat.fr or email muellbauer@lycos.com for details

17:T7f4,

Danger City is a speedy card game where you can win in one of two ways: you can side with the Neighbourhood, or with the Robbers. Either have the fewest robbers in your hand and the most points on the table once the final house has been built – or reveal 5 Robbers at once from your hand, and you have won. Danger City takes its inspiration from so-called “Gated Communities” that one may find in plush suburbs of North American (or English?) cities, and the idea that you must either be a very paranoid person to live in one, or have very good reason to want to protect yourself from someone!

We are taken to an idyllic neighbourhood that is in full-blown development – houses are being built, as well as parks, amenities, services and the like. But somewhere things go wrong: a gang of robbers have arrived. The neighbourhood takes decisive action and starts to install surveillance systems, to thwart their enemies. But who will win out?

Basic Rules

Players take turns in building the neighbourhood, by playing Neighbourhood cards from their hand onto the table. Each card has a specific value – a Garage is worth 5 points while a Golf Course is worth 15. Cards circulate round the player from player to player: you draw or play a card and then pass one on face down. Lurking in their midst are a rabble of robbers. Chances are you either want to collect them or get rid of them, but you cannot play them like Neighbourhood cards. If you collect 5 of them, you can reveal them

Games