Clans uses a fixed board which depicts 12 regions and each region is then made up of 5 territories. The five clans are represented by the use of colourful wooden huts and 1 hut is placed on each territory to begin the game. The clan huts can be placed on any of the territories in each region, which ensures that each game set-up is different. This helps keep the game fresh for future plays and the overall effect is that each game will begin with an even distribution of clans across the board. Each player takes a random clan tile, which they keep secret. The aim of the game is to further the advancement of your own clan whilst minimising the progress of the other clans to gain victory. The final set-up of the board sees a set of 12 village tokens placed on the Epoch track. On a player's turn they must move a hut or set of huts from one territory to a neighbouring territory. If this movement results in a hut(s) becoming isolated (no longer adjacent to other territories that contain any huts) then a village is formed. Scoring of the village is now determined. Any single huts are removed from the board immediately but multiple huts will remain. The remaining huts in the village score 1 point per hut and the corresponding clan marker is moved on the score track (which circles the Epoch track). Thus the strategy in Clans is to isolate your opponent's huts whilst manoeuvring your huts into groups that will allow them to form villages and score points. The longer you can keep your own clan colour secret the better chance you have to avoid aggressive plays against you. But the game would be limited if this was the sum total of play, so Clans throws in a few more mechanics to tweak the play. There are 5 Epochs in total and each epoch displays a 'positive' and 'negative' terrain. Forming villages in a positive terrain will earn bonus points but villages formed in negative terrains will score nothing and remove all huts in the village from the board. This allows for numerous offensive and defensive manoeuvres. When a player forms a village they take one of the village tokens. This helps to advance the game through the epochs (each new epoch offers a higher bonus for positive terrain villages) and the village tokens are worth a bonus point at the games end. The game is over when the final village token is taken or there are no further moves possible on the board.

Clans is an addictive little strategy game that demands more and more respect with each play. It is similar to another game called Attila, is just as beautifully presented, but plays faster and with less complex mechanics. Clans is a game of total strategy, there is no room for any luck element and this will appeal to the deep thinkers out there as they will be rewarded for their carefully planned moves. The game is beautifully presented, using vibrant colour and quality components. Clans is quick to set-up and play (20-40) minutes which makes it a great filler title between longer games or a nice diversion if time is limited. Don't judge this game on first plays - it is a rewarding experience and the options available grow with experience.