If you like working table-top puzzles, forming patterns, and board games with a prominent theme...
Carcassonne —
Designed by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede, published by Hans im Glück and many others, with artwork by Doris Matthäus, Anne Pätzke and Chris Quilliams.
For 2 to 5 players, ages 8 and up. Plays in about 45 minutes.
From a bag of small tiles, each player draws one and tries to fit it into an ever-growing map of roads, castles, and cloisters. Claiming ownership of completed areas gains points when the game is completed in this award-winning European game. Variations and expansions add many hours of freshness to the game as you play more and more. And you will! Take control of the roads, walled cities, and the farmland between them - but remember that you have limited resources, so make them count!
(Many expansions and enhancements are available allowing more players and more strategic options.)