Pastiche, designed by Sean McDonald and published by Gryphon Games, grabs me because of its unique and wonderful theme. The game comes with an assortment of cards depicting some of the best classical paintings. Collect all of the essential colors that were used to create the painting by laying abstract tiles with color blotches; how the blotches match determined the colors you collect. When you have all the colors, you “play” the painting.

The game teaches how colors work together, how to identify the color palettes of a painting, and about the paintings. It also has all the advantages of a strategic tile-laying trading game. Some people may find the pastoral theme less than satisfying, but they’re Philistine heathens; pay them no mind.