Up front, I’ll admit to a definite bias here, as I am first and foremost a fan of pure abstract strategy games, which may skew my perspective somewhat. That said, I rank Dieter Stein near the very top among current game designers.
Stein has a rather extensive catalogue of games that I rate highly, but it arguably began with a trio commonly referred to as his “Stacking Trilogy.”
The three games, Abande, Attangle, and Accasta Pari, are each distinct in nature but are tied together through their use of stacking as a core mechanic, as well as a shared board design.
These games have now been released together in a single small box set by Kanare Abstract, resulting in one of the best values currently available in gaming. In one compact package, you get everything needed to play all three games, each of which stands well above average in my view.
In this set, Abande and Attangle are played on one side of the cloth board, a standard feature in Kanare-produced games, while Accasta Pari is played on the reverse.
All three games use the same stackable wooden pieces.
In brief, Abande is a game where players add pieces or move them onto adjacent enemy stacks, all while ensuring that the overall structure remains connected. Victory is determined by controlling stacks under specific board conditions.
In Attangle, players aim to trap opponent pieces from multiple directions and beneath stacks they control.
Accasta Pari has players attempting to capture opponents through continuous split-move chains while also striving to occupy enemy territory.
Each of the three games offers a distinct feel, though their shared lineage is easy to recognize.
With three strong games in one box, each worthy of inclusion in a collection on its own, this is about as easy a recommendation as you’ll find.
You can check it out at kanare-abstract.com.
About Author
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
Three Fine Games in One: Such a Great Hobby Value
Stein has a rather extensive catalogue of games that I rate highly, but it arguably began with a trio commonly referred to as his “Stacking Trilogy.”
The three games, Abande, Attangle, and Accasta Pari, are each distinct in nature but are tied together through their use of stacking as a core mechanic, as well as a shared board design.
These games have now been released together in a single small box set by Kanare Abstract, resulting in one of the best values currently available in gaming. In one compact package, you get everything needed to play all three games, each of which stands well above average in my view.
In this set, Abande and Attangle are played on one side of the cloth board, a standard feature in Kanare-produced games, while Accasta Pari is played on the reverse.
All three games use the same stackable wooden pieces.
In brief, Abande is a game where players add pieces or move them onto adjacent enemy stacks, all while ensuring that the overall structure remains connected. Victory is determined by controlling stacks under specific board conditions.
In Attangle, players aim to trap opponent pieces from multiple directions and beneath stacks they control.
Accasta Pari has players attempting to capture opponents through continuous split-move chains while also striving to occupy enemy territory.
Each of the three games offers a distinct feel, though their shared lineage is easy to recognize.
With three strong games in one box, each worthy of inclusion in a collection on its own, this is about as easy a recommendation as you’ll find.
You can check it out at kanare-abstract.com.
About Author
Calvin Daniels
Calvin Daniels is a Saskatchewan-born, self-taught journalist. He is currently Editor of Yorkton This Week, with 35-years in the newspaper business.
See author's posts