Carcassonne Central

Last night the River II expansion was released for the Xbox Live Arcade version of Carcassonne. At a cost of 300 pts that's $3.75 US. Reluctantly and for the sake of completeness I purchased this expansion although I feel that it's priced at about twice what it should be.

The expansion contains 12 tiles similar to the physical River II expansion we all know.

The River 2 works a lot like the River 1(R1), you simply turn it on when you create a new game. You can play with just the River 2 or both rivers. If you turn the River 2 on the first tile placed is the fork from the River 2 (R2). You are allowed to turn this tile and place a follower on it.

Like R1, R2 does not include the Monastery tile. R2 also doesn't include the Pig Herd or the Inn, as these expansions are not currently available. However it does include the Volcano lake! This tile doesn't bring out the dragon but it does keep you from placing a follower and lets the the player who places it immediately draw and place another tile.

The R2 expansion is a nice addition to this fairly good Carcassonne interpretation. It inspires some hope that eventually all the expansions will be released. However, I do feel it was overpriced, especially when compared with the base game. Only time will tell if future expansions will have a more reasonable price.

Bottom line: There's no real need to purchase this expansion right now unless you're a hardcore fan. (Like most of us!)

Enjoy.

Yes I too felt that it was very overpriced, and I also, for completeness bought it.  I think they added a bit on the price because they knew how popular the game had become.  If they love the game, then they'll buy the add ons is their thought pattern I am sure.  I really hope they do bring out all the expansions, but in a package for the usual 800 microsoft points. I know some of the quality arcade games can be 1,200 points.  How much would we be willing to pay if all the big box expansions were released? Any offers??

I gaurantee that there will be no "big box" for the XBLA version, at least not anytime soon. You can expect the expansions (which are already coded into the game BTW) to come out at regular intervals for various prices. I would expect most of them to stay under the 400 points mark but don't be suprised if it ends up costing you about $50+ to own the equivalent of a complete R.L. Carcassonne set.

How can you guarantee there will be no big box any time soon for the 360 ? Do you work for Mr Gates by any chance  ;D I would have thought that Microsoft would launch everything and anything to get more money.

I don't work for Microsoft but I do own a video game company that works with Microsoft.