This wood board game stresses pattern recognition combined with a bit of geometry (straight lines). It relates to the game "Set" in the multi-dimensional pattern aspects and reminds me of Tic-Tac-Toe or Connect Four with how you win.

However, there are a couple of twists which make it a unique and challenging game: The pieces on the board belong to both players; any of them can be used by either player to win. Furthermore, when it's your turn to place a piece on the board, your opponent chooses which piece you will be using!

Though the rules are easy to learn, it is very tough to master as you have to keep thinking through deeper and deeper levels of what could possibly happen with the next move, and the move after that, and...

This well-made and attractive wood game set is suitable for leaving out as decoration and a conversation starter.

A friend's father made a hand carved version of this game and I played it at a party. i loved it so much i've been trying to find the "original" or retail version for years now! What a great find!

I'm not a board game geek, but you owe it to yourself to find someone, sit down, and play a game or two. There is something wonderfully fun about board games in general, but Gigamic (based in France) makes some of the smartest, most addictive, and most importantly, quick games.

Quarto is a simple logic game, but you have to think. Your object is to line up 4 pieces with at least one matching characteristic - color, height, shape, or hollow/solid. The catch: On each turn, your opponent chooses the piece for you. So you can try to get them to mess up and hand you victory, or otherwise, hand them the game by giving them the piece they need. It's a brilliant little game, and it doesn't take more than 10-15 minutes to play.

Best of all, the pieces are all fine, sanded, polished and lacquered wood. They're a pleasure to use, and you can imagine playing the same set someday with your grandkids.

I played this game with my Mom a lot when I was home for Christmas. It's like tic-tac-toe on steroids. (via esh)