Steppe (1985)

About this game

Abstract played on a board of 5 x 5 squares. Each player has thick, wooden tiles that cover 1, 2 or 3 linear squares plus three neutral tiles. The tiles score 1, 5 or 10 points respectively, with the neutrals worth zero. Like Domain, Cathedral and others, players alternate to fill up the lowest "level" of the game board. The last player to play on the first level starts level 2, the same goes for level 3. Upper level tiles can only be played covering the player's color or neutral tiles. Levels are scored as they are completed, with a multiplier of the level number (1,2,3). The original game came with game board (signed and numbered by the author), rules, a scorepad and golf pencil, plus the following tile distributions: Player sets (blue and white) each have 15 "ones" (one square) 5 "fives" (2 squares) 3 "tens" (3 squares) 7 Neutral red tiles (one square) ___________________________ The TSR version (with plastic tiles): Player sets (blue and red) each have 15 "ones" (one square) 5 "fives" (2 squares) 3 "tens" (3 squares) 6 Neutral white tiles (one square)

Does it fit your group?

• Group size. Strictly 2 players — no more, no fewer.
• Rules load. At 2.3/5 this is a mid-weight game — expect a proper rules explanation before you start.
• Age. The publisher suggests 10 and up. That rates the rules rather than the artwork, so judge the box yourself for younger players.