Key Market (Second Edition)

After so much talk about quantity, it is time for the ten I was looking for in quality. The original Key Market once changed hands for $200-300, and now that I have finally brought it to the table, I understand why it built that reputation. It is not merely a collector’s trophy: it is a very strong game.

At its core, it is a tight eco-euro, where your decisions run through the market and the management of what you need. The markets are not a calm, private affair at all; there is plenty of fighting there, with the other players directly affecting what you can do and when.

There is also a somewhat unusual area-control element, along with guild powers that give your choices additional directions. These elements are not just decorative: they create enough different angles of approach to provide replayability, without pushing the length beyond the right limit.

Its roughly two full hours felt exactly right to me. It is one of the best games I have played this year, and yes, shocking revelation: I will probably play it again.