Five Favourite Board Games #3: Beowulf
I've only played Beowulf a few times, but it seems to have everything one looks for in a game – beautifully presented (it's illustrated by John Howe), requiring some strategy and forward thinking, and yet allowing for come-from-behind victories. It's designed by Reiner Knizia – who is just about the best game designer in the world – and is (loosely) based on the epic poem Beowulf.
Beowulf is an Anglo-Saxon poem about a heroic warrior who slays monsters. Those Tolkien scholars among you might recognise the influence it had on Lord of the Rings. It was written by a Christian, too:
In truth, the Geats' prince gladly trusted
his mettle, his might, the mercy of God!
Cast off then his corselet of iron,
helmet from head; to his henchman gave –
choicest of weapons – the well-chased sword,
bidding him guard the gear of battle...
And again,
'Twas widely known
that against God's will the ghostly ravager
him could not hurl to haunts of darkness;
wakeful, ready, with warrior's wrath,
bold he bided the battle's issue.
If you haven't read Beowulf before, I'd recommend reading Douglas Wilson's essay North of the World.
And if you generally don't like poetry, read this.
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