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GTM #214 - Calliope Games Holiday Wish List
by Bill Fogarty

The holidays are coming and everyone is looking for gift ideas.  Here are some fantastic games that might just help you check some people off your shopping list.

12 Days: This beautiful card game is the perfect stocking stuffer for the holidays.  Who will give the best gifts during the “Twelve Days of Christmas”?  Find out when you pass out the presents, collect the perfect sets, and have a happy ho-ho-holiday!

Ancestree: Fans of genealogy will adore this amazing new game by Eric M. Lang.  Introduce your friends and family to the concept of drafting as you pass and choose Ancestor tiles to complete the best family tree.  Featuring hilarious character art by Larry Elmore, this 25-minute game for 2-6 players is an instant hit.

Capital City: With whimsical artwork by Brian Bowes, people might think that James Ernest has designed a cute little city builder.  But as they build the best Old West, the 3-6 players will soon find out that this 25-minute game has many interesting decisions and loads of player interaction.

Dicey Peaks: Scott Almes’ latest is a push-your-luck tile and dice game where 2-6 players race to the top of a mountain – chased by Yetis! And you won’t believe the amount of cool bits that come in this amazingly affordable box.  With sculpted minis, frosted dice, and heavy-duty tiles, this game is a joy to look at and a blast to play.

Double Double Dominoes: For those who have family that love the Mexican Train Game, Double Double Dominoes is the perfect next step! And if you’re buying for someone who loves dominoes and Scrabble, this game will be a perfect fit!

Hive Mind: This is the trivia game for people who don’t know trivia.  Can you think like the rest of the group?  Then you’ll have a great time with Hive Mind. The game plays with up to 12 players (or more if you play with teams) and is the perfect game for large families with many generations of players.  Ask fun questions like “What are three unusual pets?” and try to match answers with others to score points!

Menu Masters: This game is a great introduction to worker placement and resource management for 2-6 players.  Opening a restaurant was never so much fun and everyone will enjoy finding the right ingredients to build the perfect menus.  Menu Masters will cook up lots of fun for players of all levels of experience.

Roll For It!: The perfect take-on-the-go game, Roll For It! is everything you need to start having fun at home or on the go!  The rules couldn’t be simpler: roll dice and match them to cards to win! Roll For It! is fun for all ages and can accommodate up to 8 players.

Running With The Bulls: If you love rolling dice, Running With the Bulls is for you! Get your runners safely across town to the destinations at the end…and avoid the rampaging bulls!  Easy to teach, highly interactive, and featuring zany art, this game is a great introduction to risk mitigation and playing the percentages.

ShutterBug: Fans of photography or Cryptozoology (fantastical creatures) will love this amazing set-collection and exploration game.  Crisscross the country, gathering tips to build the best portfolio of photos and be the most successful photojournalist in the country.  Snap the Myth!

Thieves!: You and your gang have just pulled off the perfect heist!  Problem is, your getaway car hasn’t arrived yet!  As you scramble, avoid getting busted by the cops and make sure that you have the most loot when the getaway car arrives.  This fast-paced, 20-minute card game is a great stocking stuffer!

Tsuro: This classic tile-laying game is perfect for 2-8 players. Taught in less than a minute, it combines the perfect blend of skill and chance in a sublime, harmonious package.  Find out why Tsuro is a modern classic and an astounding gift for anyone on your shopping list.

Tsuro of the Seas: For those that love Tsuro and giant monsters, we created Tsuro of the Seas!  As ship captains, you must navigate the seas while avoiding monsters (who wish to destroy you) and other players (who wish to run you aground).  Can you find the path to victory?

UGH!: This clever card game pits you against other cavemen trying to find family, shelter, and pets.  Put together sets, lock them safely away, and score the most points while you try to avoid the UGHS!.  This game is also great for younger players as it teaches multiplication and probability skills.

Wordoku: An amazing word game, even for those who don’t usually love word games!  This appealing blend of crossword puzzles and Sudoku features a unique twist that rewards personal improvement over three rounds, so wordsmiths may not have an advantage!  The natural wood tiles make this game a beautiful present, as well.

We hope that you will be able to find some fantastic gifts at your FLGS.  The best part is that when you give a game as a gift, you get to share in the fun!  Happy Holidays!