Through the Desert

BGG Rank: 552

Players: 2 - 5, Recommended: 5, Best: 5

Playing Time: 45 minutes

Weight (Complexity): 2.17 / 5

Mechanisms: Chaining, Connections, Enclosure, Hexagon Grid

Category: Abstract Strategy, Animals, Arabian

Family: Animals: Camels, Category: Combinatorial, Components: Meeples (Animal) / Animeeples, Mechanism: Connection, Misc: Dice Tower Hall of Fame, Region: Middle East, Region: North Africa, Series: Euro Classics (Reiner Knizia), Series: Fantasy Flight Silver Line, Series: Tile-Laying Trilogy (Reiner Knizia), Theme: Deserts

Designer: Reiner Knizia

Artist: John Gravato, Atha Kanaani, Damien Mammoliti, Scott Nicely, Brian Schomburg, Claus Stephan

Publisher: KOSMOS, Allplay, Delta Vision Publishing, Edge Entertainment, Fantasy Flight Games, Galakta, Hobby Japan, Lautapelit.fi, PS-Games, Silver Stars Publishing, Wargames Club Publishing, Z-Man Games

Category: Area Control

Each player attempts to score the most points by snaking caravan routes through the desert, trying to reach oases and blocking off sections of the desert. Many people feel that it is reminiscent of Go. Publisher's Description From the award-winning game designer Reiner Knizia comes a game of strategy, patience, and cool plastic camels! The desert is still treacherous, mysterious, and without mercy. But for those willing to risk the dangers of the shifting, sun-baked sands, the desert holds riches beyond compare. In Through the Desert, two to five players each control a tribe of nomads vying for control of the desert. By establishing caravans and taking over oases, the players gain points as their tribes increase in power. Strategy is essential in deciding how and where to build your tribe's caravans. There are multiple ways to gain points and several ways to win. Should you try to build the longest caravan? Or should you dominate the desert's oases? Don't forget to keep an eye on your opponents' caravans, or you may find your own tribe cut off from valuable water holes. Through the Desert is part of the so called Knizia tile-laying trilogy.

Average Playing Time	1-2 hours
Best Player Count	3 Best
Collection	Kevin
Difficulty	Opener/Closer
Played	Played
Recommended Player Count	2 Players, 3 Players, 4 Players, 5 Players

Players: 2 - 5, Recommended: 5, Best: 3

Playing Time: 45 minutes

Weight (Complexity): 2.40 / 5

Four modular expansions tweak the classic gameplay of Through The Desert with fun twists without diluting the elegant nature of the gameplay. Add one for a slight change, or bring out all four for experienced players looking for a challenge! Rival Nomads: Based on a deck of Nomad cards, players will embark on a mysterious journey as they reveal specific and intriguing scoring conditions that challenge them to adapt their strategies quickly. Djinns: Visiting oases awakens mischievous djinns, who use their magic to make crossing the desert more difficult. Special Watering Holes: Take a camel piece so you can place an extra piece. In a game where the turns are so tight, this extra pace is crucial! Trading is a way of life in the desert. Buying a commercial good is worthless, but finding someone to trade with while having a pair? That's ten points! Bazaars: Form valuable trade routes from desert bazaars to distant villages.

victor-rr rated: N/A/10

After Acquire, this game was my first "serious" eurogame. More than Acquire, this game defined for me the sense of wonder of great board games. Después de Acquire, este juego fue mi primer juego "europeo". Más que Acquire, este juego definió para mí el genio de los buenos juegos de mesa.

alfonzos rated: N/A/10

Only drawback to this fine abstract game is the pastel colors of the camels. I hate pastels.

Masterhit rated: N/A/10

Another wishlist item.

rwhe rated: N/A/10

Have as Durch die Wuste.

_Dani_ rated: N/A/10

Keller

gamergeek65 rated: N/A/10

Actually Durche die Wuste

Ychor rated: N/A/10

Replaced with iOS version

bugbug rated: N/A/10

Second Knizia. Third Kosmos.

michael.perkins rated: N/A/10

Abstract Strategy, Tile Placement * Spiel des Jahres, Nominee - 1998 * Deutsher SpielePreis, 4th Place - 1998 * Games Magazine GAMES 100, Best Family Strategy Game Runner - 1999 * You can't go wrong with Reiner Knizia, 2-5 players.

LesterKlew rated: N/A/10

Some sort of freakin hippy game about using breath mint camels to take over the desert. What was the designer smoking? Not a single tank in sight.

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