Knights of Charlemagne

Subject: Math
Category: Matching, sets
Ages: 8 and up
# of players: 2 to 4
Time to play: 20 minutes
Mechanics/Game Type: Card management, tile collection

Ratings (1 to 5)

Educational Value: 2
Gaming value: 3
Aesthetic value: 5
Price value: 4
Ease of play: 5 (easy once you figure out how it plays)
Younger adaptability: 5

My comments: This simple, fast-paying game has a set of 20 tiles set out in 2 rows and 1 cathedral bonus tile at the end. One row has 5 manor tiles numbered 1 to 5 and 5 city tiles of 5 different colors; the other row has all treasure tiles. The cards have both a color and a number. Each player takes turns placing a card to match either the color of the tiles or the number of the tiles. A green 4, for example, can be placed either next to the green tile or the 4 tile. When all the cards are played, whoever played the most cards next a tile keeps it, while the opponent keeps the less-valuable treasure tile. A few more rules not mentioned add more depth to the game. 4 players play as teams; 3 players require an extra space be made among the tiles for that player to place cards.

The tiles and cards are richly colorful; the tiles and box are thick. There's even a touch of geography on the manor and city tiles, as well as the history reference in the title. You do more math than anything in this game, though the skills are those already mastered by kids old enough to play. This is a nice quick game on a busy homeschooling day.

BoardGameGeek.com link to this game: http://www.boardgamegeek.com/game/182