Karma Games KAR38205 Clans of Caledonia, multi-colour

On opening the box there is a bewildering array of playing pieces and cards, but a careful study of the rules and the helpful graphics in the instruction booklet quickly made sense of all of these. We started on a basic game as suggested in the rule book - that meant leaving out some of the elements of the game, but still proved challenging enough. Enough zip-lock bags were provided to put all the cardboard pieces in, the 3d pieces were already in their own bags. The instruction booklet helpfully takes you through each of the stages of the game played over 5 rounds - each round only ending when each player has done all they can do with the resources available to them. Each of the clans has its own unique play strength and a helpful strategy guide for the clan you are playing. This felt a little bit like a souped-up version of Settlers of Catan - with fluctuating prices for goods in the market depending on who is buying or selling, and a variable price for placing units on territory depending on what you were using it for and the price of the particular space you were playing on to.The game board also provides for variety with each of the four pieces having two sides giving 16 possible play combinations. The method of scoring victory points for the final tally needs to be understood early on as this can affect the way you play. There is plenty of scope for variety in each game making this an excellent strategy game that can be completed easily in a couple of hours (the projected time is half an hour per player).I haven't tried the solo option yet - but that adds an extra dimension if you just want to pit yourself against the board and work on your strategy.

There are so many board games out there that I found it hard to choose which one to buy but I’m so happy I chose this one! It is one of the most complex games I’ve ever played but this doesn’t make it hard to pick up at the start. It just means that there are lots of things to be thinking about throughout the game... which means that you can play it for hours without getting bored. After playing this for the first time we immediately started playing it again as the first game was so much fun!A really cool part of the game is the fact that you play as a different clan each. Depending on the clan you have special extra abilities in the game. I’ve never come across this idea before in a board game and it definitely added to the fun of the game.You have to put a bit of effort into understanding the rules the first time you play it but after two rounds we all felt confident and didn’t need the rule book at all in the next round.I loved all the little pieces as it is way better to be able to be able to physically see all your barrels of whisky and slices of cheese and bottles of milk stacking up in your stock.I honestly can’t recommend this game enough, and can’t see myself ever getting bored of it!

Some of the questions on language worried me when looking at this product. Just to reassure anyone else thinking the same, mine arrived with both English and German instructions.

Amazon delivered my game in a beat up box, and inside my game had scuffed up corners, like it's been chucked in the truck. Standards are definitely going downhill.I wrote to Amazon and asked them for a replacement, as I expected a good quality product, and they said, if you want a refund, you're going have to break isolation to take it to collection point. I said that's ok, I'm not risking a fine for a game.

The game looks great, except that it's the FRENCH version! and it is NOT shrink wrapped!Everything on the amazon page leads you to believe it's the English version. It does say French in the 'Technical Details' but it would have been MUCH more helpful if it said 'FRENCH VERSION' in the header or Product Details next to the image!

Incomplete product. Pieces are missing