The object of the game is to lay tiles on the table in such a way that points are scored and the player with the most points at the end wins.

Each tile depicts a piece of Carcassonne. Some show a castle section, some a road section, some both road and castle as well as other elements, like a monastery. Tiles are placed matching them up to tiles already placed so that road matches road, castle matches castle, etc. As a tile is laid, if you want to try to score the feature on it, you place one of your little people, (commonly called a meeple) on the tile. Once a castle with your meeple in it has been completed it is scored, likewise roads are scored once both ends of the road end at either a castle or a crossroads. A monastery is scored once it is surrounded by eight tiles. A further scoring opportunity comes at the end of the game. if one of your meeples has been placed in a field, all completed castles around the field are also scored.

The game has become very popular and several expansions have appeared, all of which add further new elements to the basic game.
The River: A free expansion now included in the basic game. The Expansion: Inns & cathedrals adding new tiles, pieces for a sixth player, and large meeples, which count as two small meeples when scoring.
Traders & Builders adds more new tiles, a builder figure, a pig figure, goods chits and a cloth bag.
King & Scout was a mini expansion that added a few new tiles
Count of Carcassonne added a 12 new tiles and the count
Princess & the Dragon added a dragon and fairy figure and 30 new tiles
The Tower: Adds a card tower for all the cards, new tower tiles and wooden tower pieces.
River II: Adds more river tiles.

Each expansion added something new and interesting to the basic game, each worth having in its own right.

SUMMARY:
This award winning game should be in everyones collection, with or without the expansions it is still lots of fun and a pleasure to play.

Review by Brian