Diplomacy is firmly entrenched in the 'classic' gaming league as its vintage dates back to 1976. This game has seen many re-prints but its popularity is undying. This serves as a testimony to its thoughtful design and streamlined mechanics. Up to 7 players find themselves in control of a colonial power prior to World War I. Europe is a powder keg as each national border is packed with troops that eyeball one another. Each country starts in control of its homeland territories and power is held through the deployment of troops and naval units. This is the first major difference from other games in this genre - the focus is not on the units and dice rolling. In fact there are no dice at all in Diplomacy as the game play revolves entirely around player interaction in the form of negotiation. This is the central theme of the game and its most endearing feature. Each turn is given a time limit, which is set to the player's liking and this time is solely devoted to negotiation. Players must scramble to engage each other in secret talks regarding their troop and naval movements with the aim being to establish alliances, which can be used to create superior forces when attacking opponents. Deals are struck, alliances formed and broken and treachery is always around the corner. To aid players in recalling the details on the map, the game comes with mini-maps of Europe and its many territories. These can be used to record troop placements and any movement that is agreed to once alliances are struck. As soon as time runs out for the turn, all players must return to the table. Using a set of guidelines, all troop and naval movements are resolved and the repercussions of all that wheeling and dealing is revealed. If a player manages to expand their empire and capture supply centres they are granted additional units to press home their advantage. Of course the reward for such success is often counter-productive as other nations band together to bring them to their knees. Play continues until 1 power controls all of Europe!

Diplomacy is up in the same league as Chess as it offers the bare minimum of rules but they offer players a wealth of options and opportunities. Player interaction is what Diplomacy values most and this is a feature that will always excite humans as it offers us the greatest challenge. Every turn requires players to lock horns, make difficult decisions and second guess the competition. Trust soon becomes a dirty word but it is essential if player's hope to progress to the later stages. Of course trust the wrong person at the wrong time and your empire will soon be a distant memory. Whilst the rules are simple, they can be intricate when resolving the movement phase as all moves are conducted simultaneously. Thankfully the rulebook offers many detailed examples and a few plays will see them become second nature. Diplomacy can take some time to play to the finish but again the player's can tailor the games length to their liking by setting shorter turn limits.