St. Patrick is an approachable little trick-taker from designers Haig Tahta and Sacha Tahta Alexander. Originally printed as Salvage in 2021, publisher Matagot has loosely rethemed the game around the story of St. Patrick, who chased the snakes out of Ireland. I started to type “St. Sebastian” there, which would be a different trick-taking game indeed.

St. Patrick, it must be said, has been given an exemplary production. Artist Bastien Jez created some stunning illustrations for these cards, and they are well-complimented by Matagot’s choice of spot printing with metal foil. This deck is simultaneously readable and gorgeous. We truly are spoiled by contemporary production values.

Taking Care of Bid’ness

St. Patrick is a don’t-win trick-taking game, which means you want to avoid, well, winning tricks. Go figure. Specifically, you want to dodge any cards that include Snake Bites, which means you’ll be swinging wide of black cards and 7’s.

At the beginning of each round, after the full deck has been dealt out, the player in last place chooses whether or not…

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Disclaimer: The views presented in this article are those of the author only and are not intended to represent those of the broader Meeple Mountain family! 

A game like Ierusalem: Anno Domini is bound to raise eyebrows for any number of reasons. It raised mine for three, which I share because I feel it might help establish perspective. First, I was curious because of the game’s subject matter—factions attempting to get near to Jesus during that final Passover meal before His crucifixion. Any attempt to even hang around the historical fringes of a religious themed game begins on tenuous ground at best. 

Second, I raised a brow because this subject matter is of supreme importance to me personally. While a game that dabbles in religion immediately creates a certain broad tension, that palpable je ne sais quoi is amplified for each individual based on their personal experience, faith, and understanding. Any game that explores any facet of my faith falls under the scrutiny of head, heart, and soul as it would in the hands of any other. 

Third, I was impressed to see publisher Devir lend their pedigree to what is bound to be a divisive title. I’d imagine there are folks who are rooting for success and failure from every background and worldview for wide and varied…

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‘Neath the Eyeball of Saint Isidore

We all had to memorize the opening of Chaucer’s General Prologue from Canterbury Tales, right? Eighteen lines of Middle English poetry—and one gigantic run-on sentence at that! English teachers love that sort of thing. For those who may have forgotten or been spared altogether, I’ll summarize. It’s April and Nature has pricked the conscience of various pilgrims to strike out on the road toward Canterbury to make all matters of the soul right once again. 

Such is the setting of the 2011 classic The Road to Canterbury. Upon reading that designer Alf Seegert’s graduate degrees include both Philosophy and English, the subject material and its treatment suddenly makes sense. The road is darkly endearing, a demonstration of more than a working knowledge of Mr. Chaucer with just enough humor to be approachable.

Where Chaucer introduces two dozen (or so) pilgrims, Seegert’s creation zooms in on one—the Pardoner. The game is limited to either two or three players, both or all of whom assume the role of a Pardoner straddling the penitential fence. The two tasks at hand are to tempt pilgrims unto one of the seven deadly sins while simultaneously taking a financial interest in issuing something of a bogus absolution. There are Relics to relish. Sinners will die. Someone will be declared…

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Dr. Reiner Knizia is one of the most prolific board game designers ever. With over 600 published games he is known for his willingness to explore themes ranging from expeditions to watering holes to llamas. Add to that his list of worldwide gaming awards and any new Knizia game should be worthy of attention. Personally, some of my favorite games were designed by him and when I learned of Tajuto I was eager to give it a try.

In Tajuto, you play as a monk who is building Pagodas, floor by floor, and traveling along a Meditation Path to gain the spirituality necessary to win the Prince’s favor and, therefore, the game. During the game you’ll each be adding to the eight Pagodas and making Offerings, trying to outdo your opponents before the fourth Pagoda is completed.

Click below to learn how to play Tajuto. Otherwise, keep scrolling to read my thoughts on the game.

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Setting Up the Game

Laying out the tri-fold board you’ll see a thin, blue stream divides the board into two distinctive sections. One side has two sections of outlines for tiles, divided by a numbered Meditation Path; the other has eight color-coded foundation sites for pagodas…

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The Book of Buonocore

¹ This is an account of the days before the flood.

² The people were approached by Stephen, who gave to them a solemn task. "Prepare for the flood, for it shall come soon. You shall build large ships, or arks, which will contain the creatures of the earth."

³ The people heeded Stephen's proclamation and built arks which could hold animals for the duration of the flood.

⁴ When the construction of the arks was complete, Stephen returned to them and said "These animals you shall collect: the crocodile, the giraffe, the gorilla, the panda, the zebra, and tiger. ⁵ You shall also gather the tortoise, the rhino, the hippopotamus, the camel, the fox, and the elephant."

⁶ The people obeyed Stephen and began gathering food which would be eaten by each type of animal.

⁷ Once the food had been collected the people proceeded to select the animals which they found most appealing to them.

⁸ Each person filled their ark in preparation for the flood; with animals, and with food for those animals. Each person gathered however many animals they could support, from the young animal, to the old and hoary elder beasts.

…

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