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Tikal | 
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| Brand: Rio Grande Games
Category: Toy
List Price: $44.99
Buy New: $34.01
You Save: $10.98 (24%)
New (6) from $34.01
Rating:  2 reviews
Sales Rank: 41411
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4.7
Dimensions (in): 16.9 x 12 x 2.1
MPN: RGG132
Model: 081318
UPC: 655132001328
EAN: 0655132001328
ASIN: B0007YDBTG
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | GAMES Magazine Best Family Strategy Game 2000 | | • | International Gamers Awards Best Strategy Game 2000 | | • | Deutscher SpielePreis 1st place 1999 | | • | Spiel Des Jahres Game of the Year 1999 | | • | Appropriate for 2-4 players |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Tikal is the most important and largest of all Mayan sites. It is located in the midst of an impenetrable jungle in northern Guatemala. The Mayans lived in Tikal from 600 BC to 900 AD, but little is known of the civilization that thrived there for 1500 years. As of this writing only a small fraction of the site has been excavated and investigated. Each player is the director of an expedition intent on exploring Tikal in search of the secret paths that lead to the temples and precious treasures that have remained hidden for over 1000 years. A player receives points during four scoring rounds for each recovered treasure and for each temple that he controls. But, both temples and treasures can change hands. The expedition that earns the most points exploring Tikal wins the game. 2-4 players aged 10 and up
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| Customer Reviews:
"Explore jungle ruins" or "Buy rental properties", you pick... December 2, 2005
Mr. Mario T. Lanza (New Cumberland, PA)
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
People have come to think of Monopoly whenever board games are mentioned. What a disservice to Eurogames, the new variety of board games that have taken board gaming to the next level. Now there is a more direct relationship to the decisions you make and the results you achieve.
Tikal is one of the best Eurogames out there. It was one of the first games I acquired after discovering board games again as an adult. Now, 4 years into my new hobby and more than 150 games later, Tikal still remains one of the best games in my collection.
Tikal uses an economy of actions whereby each player on his turn can spend 10 points doing various activites on the board. There are plenty of choices but players have to make the tough decision of assessing what actions will provide them with the best payoff. Payoff comes by way of victory points -- scored in 4 quarters spread over the course of the game.
Players deploy their expedition members to the board and direct them to
* discover and excavate temple ruins,
* discover and dig up treasure,
* gain control of the most valuable temples esp. on scoring rounds,
* and steal temples from other players.
Additionally, players may create up to 2 camp sites during the course of the game. The idea behind this is to snatch up prime locations near goodies like temples and treasures. Remember, the game is about an economy of action. The players who are most efficient in spending their actions and most effective in choosing which actions will have the most profitable payoffs will get the most points. Cleverly placed camps will provide one player (hopefully) with more efficient access to contested temples. As temples can only be scored (on scoring rounds) by a player who has greater presence (more party members) at temple sites than any other player, efficient access will lend an edge to capturing these valuable temples.
Tikal is a truly marvelous game. It's a prime example of what games aspire to be. People think Monopoly because that's all they know. They have yet to try games that teach us to be efficient and effective, not merely lucky. Kids will be turned on by using their brains, and -- believe it or not -- so will adults. I play Tikal with my adult friends all the time -- they love it! After playing the basic version, adults should move on to the auction version for an even more exciting game.
Invest a little time in Tikal. You'll learn subtle nuances of play every time and develop better tactics. After exploring the temple ruins of an ancient civilization and vying for control of temples and treasure and you'll forget all about Boardwalk and Park Place.
One of the best German Boardgames Out There December 15, 2005
J. Hinckley (Seattle, WA USA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
I completely concur with the gentleman above's review - it's very accurate.
I have been playing this game off and on for four years now - and it, too, was one of the earlier games I "discovered" as an adult. The others in this "series" (similar styles), such as Mexica, are also fun, but having played all of them, this is still my favorite.
There are multiple approaches to winning, and you can cooperate, screw your opponents, get lucky digging for treasure or use pure military-style strategy in attempting to win. All can work and all can be overcome by other combinations - keeps the game quite interesting.
We've played this with people ranging from 12 to 72 years old, average to very high intelligence, and serious to "just in it for the fun and to be social" attitudes - everybody enjoys it.
The production values are very high - the pieces are well made and the game, given it is a board game and hence made of sturdy cardboard with wooden game pieces, is quite durable.
Rediscover games. It's a blast, and you can't go wrong by trying this one out first (though I also recommend the original Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, or the two-player card game "Odin's Ravens" as a "first" game).
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