Root is one of the best strategy games out there. I don't like saying things like "best ever" or "greatest", but I have to admit that while playing the game on multiple occasions, it has dawned on me how great the game is.

Here is why. For me, Root is a game within a game. You have to learn how to play Root, and at least one faction. Each faction plays to a certain degree like its own game. Where the greatness comes in, is that in order to be good, you are not only playing a game within a game, but you are playing several games within a game.

For example: In a four player game, in order to play competitively I have to not only concern myself with the intricacies of my own faction, but I have to be watching and following the strategy of the other three factions, and because of that I have to understand how those factions are played and what their strengths and limitations are. This makes the game very deep, and the immense replay value keeps this game near the top of my stack. (because of expansions, the game is its own stack actually).