James Clavell's Tai-Pan (1988)

About this game

One of the high-priced (for the time) James Clavell games produced by FASA in 1981 ($25.00 retail). This one is about trading on the Chinese coast in the 1830s. Players buy and sell cargo from port-to-port including tea, spices, silk and Opium. Various events come into play via a deck of cards. The player with the most money at the end of the game is the winner.

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Works with 2 to 4.
• Rules load. At 2.3/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 12 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.