Travel the world in search of the best archeaological finds in Lost Cities. Fast-playing fun for two players.

Well established by now as an "oldie but goodie" (old as Euro games go), Lost Cities serves well both as an introduction for new gamers to the world of Euro games and as light entertainment for the more diehard players.

Lost Cities comes with a board, a deck of oversized cards and a rulebook. Cards come in 5 colors and bear either a number from 2-10 or a hand symbol. Each sports an attractive (though unnecessary) picture of a portion of the expedition that they represent. The board simply depicts five colored spaces, corresponding to the color on the cards, upon which cards will be discarded. Each card color represents a different expedition and the numbers represent the rewards gained from journeying further and further into the unknown. Hand cards represent deals made with investors prior to setting out on the expedition.

Each player is dealt a starting hand of 8 cards and each turn will play one card and then replace it from the deck. Players play cards to their own side of the board in columns according to color and always in ascending order. Cards may be skipped in the sequence but lower numbered cards may not be played after a higher number card has already been added. As the hand cards represent deals made before setting out on the expedition, they may only be played before any other expedition cards.

When the deck runs out the game is over and points are scored. Each player totals up their points by column and then subtracts 20 from the total (representing the initial investment of the expedition). This prevents players from 'burning' cards just to spite their opponent and forces them to add an element of strategy to their play. Each hand card serves to multiply the final total by one extra factor (one card indicates x2, two cards make it x3, etc.). Three rounds are played and the player with the highest total score is the winner.

Terrific for couples play or as a light beginning or end to an evening of gaming. I can't recommend this one enough.