Infernal Contraption

Infernal Contraption is sort of like a geek's version of the old card game Water Works.

The cards are split up among the players, this makes up your parts pile. The objective is to have parts after all other players have run out of theirs. You build a machine with your parts that when turned on, uses up parts from other players, as well as pulls items from the scrap pile, and some other effects. You have to balance how much you build as for every part you put on the machine (after the first one on your turn), you have to sacrifice one to the scrap pile.

I played it as a two player game last night and it went over very well. The rules are easy to learn, the cards pretty self-explanatory, just two pages as part of the eloquently designed storage box. It took us probably 35-50 minutes to play the first time just getting used to the rules and strategy of it. Overall, a highly recommended game! We even went out and bought the expansion to it!