This Wednesday: Lost Cities found on XBLA

by Justin McElroy { Apr 22nd 2008 at 1:00AM }

Lost Cities will continue in the proud tradition of XBLA games born of German card or board games when it arrives on the service this Wednesday. The card game, designed by Reiner Knizia, pits two players against eachother as they try to mount the most profitable expedition to the the titular lost cities.

You can try your hand at venturing to the Lost Cities for 800 points ($10). For the benefit of those of us on the fence: Have any of you played the game in real life? What did you think?

Gallery: Lost Cities (XBLA)

Tags: card-games, lost-cities, Reiner-Knizia, xbla, xblawednesday

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

V Mehta @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:28AM

I generally like the idea of adapting classic board games to XBLA, but I do not have high hopes for Lost Cities. It is very much a game of aesthetics, and the sensations of holding those beautiful, gigantic cards in your hands. A game more of experience, and less of actually winning.

At the same time I won't miss calculating those tedious scoring rules by hand.

Amanda-Kay @ Apr 22nd 2008 1:58AM

I absolutely love to play the Lost Cities card game and have been very very much excited about this game coming to the Arcade. I think the card game plays so well that it is a great choice to be ported over into a video game version. The game play itself is fun and entertaining so I don't think that the change from a hands on approach to a digital one will make much if any difference for me. In my mind when I play this game it is less about the cards and more a battle pitting archeologist against archeologist. Sort of like what would happen if Indiana Jones and Dr. Daniel Jackson ever had a heated competition going, but without the space aliens and snakes.

Amaranthium @ Apr 22nd 2008 3:34AM

My gf bought this game to play with me when I was in the hospital last year, so I might be biased, but I loved the game as well :).

Spidey @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:48AM

"as they try to mount the most profitable expedition to the the titular lost cities."

Seriously? Doesn't anyone read this stuff before it's posted???

James @ Apr 22nd 2008 8:19AM

I can't attest to the quality of Lost Cities but I will say that I've played another of Reiner's games called Poison. The game is fantastic and enough to make me want to at least try anything else of his.

Maxwell @ Apr 22nd 2008 8:26AM

I own this, actually. It's an excellent game, although be forewarned, unlike Carcasonne and Settlers, it's strictly two player.

Riggy469 @ Apr 22nd 2008 8:46AM

Actually you can play four players with partners. If you own the "real" version of the game you need to buy a second copy to get the extra cards you need (although it doesn't use all the cards from the extra copy). This version will support the 4 player game.

Jonah Falcon @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:41AM

The XBLA version will have up to 4 player multiplayer, as the alternate rules show in the card game manual.

apotheos @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:15AM

I've been disappointed with the board game conversions I do own, as it is hard on Live to find opponents with social skills. The social element is a huge part of these games and I don't enjoy the mechanical debasement of ripping that out, or even worse trying to coax someone into a conversation. Ick.

Anyone who actually likes to chat and play these games should add 'apotheos' on XBL.