Board games to offer for Christmas: the selection of specialists Michèle and Lionel from Escalibur to choose without making a mistake in Montpellier

No hesitation, to find a suitable board game, the Escalibur boutique located at 7 bis rue de l'Ancien Courrier, is a must-see in Montpellier. Michèle and Lionel Moutin were therefore best placed to develop a top 5 games to discover.

While they are in the midst of their 35th Christmas rush, the game specialists have accepted this most complex mission: the selection of five games intended for a wide audience. A choice had to be made. Here it is:

1. Favorite: “Mixed forest”

Apparently there is no need to even blink, this is the game that must be tested at all costs. “It is simple and very rich at the same time. While being fun, it is strategic and informative and what's more it is a beautiful game.” Michèle is rave, “especially since it is accessible to a wide audience.”

The principle is simple: you have to plant your forest by combining appropriate cards. But for this to be viable, we must think of the entire ecosystem, not just the tree, including the fauna and flora with a logical ecological balance. Because to introduce a squirrel, you must have an oak tree. Certain animals or birds bring in a lot of points because they make the said forest prosper.

The trick is to combine intelligently to be able to attract wild animals which will develop your piece of nature thus created before the end of the three winters which can be drawn more or less quickly…

Mixed Forest, Kosh. From 8 years old. From 2 to 5 players. Maximum duration one hour. Less than 30 euros.

2. Favorite: Naéco

“With its superb refined design, this game is a real favorite and what’s more it is published by Jeux Opla which we love.” It must be said that the small French publishing house has values ​​beyond even the theme of the game.

The product is made in France, the publisher does not ship the box beyond 1,000 km, supports the NGO Sea Shepherd and a small informative booklet on marine biodiversity is provided as a bonus. It is therefore the perfect friendly and committed “green” gift.

But above all this cooperative, tactical and strategic game – which for those who haven't noticed is the word “ocean” backwards – is thrilling, fun and interesting for an incredible and fun dive into the sea depths.

The player finds himself in the shoes of a researcher who is going to explore the seabed in order to collect new scientific data. Using maps, you will have to glean points with discoveries about biodiversity, its observations and its preservation.

A real gem to spend a pleasant time.

Naéco, Florent Toscano and David Boniffacy. From 8 years old. From 1 to 4 players. Duration 15 minutes. Around 15 euros.

3. The favorite and especially the Montpellier: Smile Life

When she presents the Smile Life game, Michèle's eyes light up. “With this one we have a special story since we were the first store to put it on sale… I still have the first box, the adventure started here”, she confides with some emotion.

When the Montpellier resident Alexandre Seba created his game, he decided to entrust it to the Escalibur specialists. The success was dazzling and extensions were added. “It’s such a great achievement.”

This strategic and atmospheric game is extremely funny and completely offbeat. The goal of the game is to build your life while ruining those of others. Good laughs ahead. And for those who are tempted, there is the trash version, the fantasy version, the girl power version and the apocalypse version, all of which are not suitable for everyone.

Smile Life, Alexandre Seba. From 8 years old. From 2 to 6 players. Duration 20 minutes. Around 20 euros.

4. The revelation of the year: Trio

“It’s simple and effective and it won the Golden Ace this year at Cannes.” Trio is a card game, deduction and memory in which you will have to find, as its name suggests, trios of cards, i.e. three identical cards. But while memorizing other people's cards and with those placed on the table. You will still have to use trickery to achieve the desired result.

An entertaining game to spend quality time with family or friends. “It’s really nice…”

Trio, Kaya Miyano, Laura Michaud. From 7 years old. From 3 to 6 players. Duration 15 minutes. Around 12 euros.

5. The good idea: Animots

“It’s really fun and useful. It’s a super fun and family game that allows younger people to participate.” HASWith Animots, you will have to reconstruct the letters of your animal while trying to guess the animal of the other players.

And to do this, you will have to dip your hand into a bag at the same time to find the letters tactilely. “It’s a speed game but it can also be used to help with reading and there are even cards in English.”

The little ones will be able to play with the older ones and everyone will be able to learn while having fun.

Animots, Anja Wrede and Bruno Faidutti. From 4-5 years old. From 2 to 6 players. Duration 15 minutes. Around 12 euros.