Offboard (2011)

Overview

Michel Lalet and Laurent Levi's Abalone has been around for more than two decades. Following its initial success, the game was tweaked through the release of additional sets of marbles that allow for more than two players, but otherwise the game – and its goal of pushing opponents from the board – has remained unchanged: On a turn, push 1-3 marbles in a straight line one space, pushing the opponent's marbles backwards if you're pushing fewer marbles than you are moving yourself. If an opponent's marble is pushed off the board, you score it; score enough points, and you win.

Now Abalone Offboard puts a spin on the sumo-ish feel of Abalone by introducing external scoring zones to the game board. You need to control these zones in order to score points, and whoever scores six points first wins.