Another of Dr. Reiner Knizia’s tile laying games, Through the Desert, will be joining Z-Man Games’ “Euro Classics” line later this year.

Released in 1998, Through the Desert was a popular and critical success, earning a place on the coveted Spiel des Jahres “Recommended” list that year.  In the game, players construct trade routs by placing chains of plastic camels, trying to link together watering holes and surround areas for points. 

The new version features the classic gameplay, with updated and modernized graphics and artwork.  It also includes new play variants and a double-sided game board.  The reverse of the board now shows the Niger River flowing across the playing area, creating a different playing dynamic.

Through the Desert will include 180 plastic camels in pastel colors, 30 plastic camel riders, 5 plastic palm trees, 94 tokens, and 1 double-sided game board.  The game is intended for 2 to 5 players, ages 10 and up, and takes about 45 minutes to play.  MSRP is $44.99.

In addition to Through the Desert, Z-Man plans to release a new Carcassonne Big Box game (see “New ‘Carcassonne Big Box’”), the second Pandemic Legacy game (see “‘Pandemic Legacy:  Season 2’ Emerges From the Darkness”), and the card game SpyNet (see “Richard Garfield’s ‘SpyNet’”).