In 'The Bridges of Shangri-La', you step into the shoes of a tribal leader engaged in a fierce struggle for dominance over the isolated villages of a mystical mountain utopia. The premise is straightforward: send your masters and students to occupy neighboring settlements. To achieve this, you'll strategically place your followers, perhaps even forming temporary alliances with other tribes. But beware! Shangri-La holds its own mysteries, and the bridges connecting the villages can collapse unexpectedly, isolating regions and limiting your options. The game unfolds as an abstract battle for influence, where every move matters. You can reinforce a village with more followers or invade a neighboring one if you have a superior presence there. With each successful invasion, the bridge linking the locations disappears, progressively shrinking the board and intensifying the tension. The ultimate goal is to have the most followers spread across the board by the game's end. It's a game packed with strategic decisions, maintaining high tension until the very last moment. Awarded the Mensa Select seal in 2004, its quality and appeal are undeniable. If you enjoy abstract games with a touch of territory building and a strategic challenge that will keep you thinking, 'The Bridges of Shangri-La' might be your next adventure.