Reservations is a trick taking game that shares DNA with traditional contract bidding games, such as Konigrufen, Vira, Doppelkopf, etc. but with a "modern" feel.
In the traditional games, the scores are almost always zero sum, meaning if I am gaining points, you are losing points. In Reservations, the scoring is based on an area majority in the 4 different levels of contracts you can complete. Most of the contracts are 1 vs All (solo), however, when playing 4 players you can have 2 vs 2 (team) contracts as well. Completing a solo contract will let you place two cubes, where as a team contract lets each player place one cube. Be careful, any failed contracts will count against you at the end of the game!
Contracts also change how the card play system works. One contract might have you play Talon Exchange/Must Follow/Must Trump/Must Win while another contract will have you play Talon Reveal/Must Follow/May Trump/May Win.
There is also an advanced mode that includes a side board full of additional bonus contracts.
—description from the designer