Carcassonne

Carcassonne is proof that cleverly designed, imaginative strategy games not only have a place in the video-game world, they're direly needed.

It's highly unlikely that you'll find a better value on Live Arcade.

I honestly didn’t know much about Carcassonne before I played it on XBLA, but the cozy format and computer control makes it a lot of unfettered fun. Sierra also promises that it’ll add some of the board game’s expansion as inexpensive downloads soon, which will extend the gameplay that much more.

Carcassonne for the Xbox LIVE Arcade is a great conversion of the original board game, but certain aspects of the game are lacking.

Carcassonne is the sort of board game that the Arcade needs more of: simple to pick up and play, but plenty of scope for competition and strategy for hardcore gamers. The games are quick, lots of fun, and the whole package is well polished and easy to use.

It plays fast, has good AI and best of all there is no clean up.

Carcassonne is without a doubt one of the best multiplayer games on Live Arcade right now, but the limited single player might leave those without friends a little depressed. That is, unless they take it online.

You might be surprised just how easy and addictive this board game can be.

That Carcassonne is a great game was never in question -- it's one of the most successful board games in recent years. The question was whether or not an Xbox Live Arcade version would retain what made the real-world game fun, and the answer is "indeed."

Carcassonne is Live Arcade at its best--a fair price for a great game you otherwise wouldn't find on the 360. More please! [Aug 2007, p.80]

While Carcassonne isn’t quite as deep as Catan, it’s certainly an easier game to grasp.

Simpler and faster than "Catan." [Aug 2007, p.92]

As a simple, yet effective translation of the German board game, Carcassonne proves an oddly addictive experience.

Although Carcassonne may not have the depth of strategy that you see in Catan, it still holds its own as a stable addition to the Live Arcade.

While board games on Xbox Live are not everyone’s cup of tea, those looking for a bit of fast-paced and fun strategy that’s actually quite relaxing to play, Carcasonne certainly delivers, and has the promise of tile-set expansions in the near future.

In general, Carcassone is a quicker game to grasp but lacks Catan's depth and tactical nuances with the outcome of a game often feeling more like luck than skill. If you've only got a Silver Live account Carcassonne is a marginally better purchase thanks to its offline multiplayer and its short game length and puzzle-like aspects gives it a strangely addictive quality, yet the honest fact is that despite being a better adaptation, Carcassonne just isn't based on a board game quite as good as the one Catan is.

Carcassonne is a solid board game, but I personally feel it’s just not quite as strong as Catan, its only direct competition on XBLA. In addition, problems with the camera and presentation only add to the frustration.

The AI is exceptional and we found the middle level to be a good match for even experienced players. [Sept 2007, p.108]