20th Century (2010) Board Game

20th Century is a board game designed by Vladimír Suchý and published by Czech Games Edition in in 2010. It falls under the categories of City Building, Civilization, Economic, and Environmental games. The game is designed for 3 to 5 players and has a runtime of about 120 minutes. With its mix of auction/bidding, memory, point to point movement, and tile placement mechanisms, 20th Century offers players a unique gaming experience.

Game Components of 20th Century

Game board

Player boards

Resource tokens

Pollution tokens

Bid tokens

Victory point tokens

Building tiles

Technology tiles

Event cards

How To Setup 20th Century

Place the game board in the center of the table.

Each player receives a player board, resource tokens, pollution tokens, bid tokens, and victory point tokens.

Shuffle the building tiles and place them face down on the board.

Shuffle the technology tiles and place them in a stack.

Shuffle the event cards and place them face down.

Determine the starting player and begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

In 20th Century, players take on the roles of city planners aiming to develop their cities while managing resources and pollution. Players bid on building and technology tiles, expand their cities, and balance economic growth with environmental impact. The objective of the game is to earn the most victory points by the end of the game through strategic city building and resource management.

Player Experience

Pros:

Engaging mix of auction and tile placement mechanics

Strategic depth with balancing economic growth and environmental impact

Unique theme of city planning and development in the 20th century

Cons:

Steep learning curve for new players

Lengthy gameplay may not be suitable for all players

Personal Thoughts on 20th Century

20th Century offers a rich and challenging gaming experience for players interested in city building and resource management. The mix of auction/bidding and tile placement mechanics adds depth to the gameplay, requiring strategic thinking and planning. The game’s thematic elements of balancing economic growth with environmental impact provide a unique twist to the city building genre.

In terms of build quality, 20th Century features sturdy components and detailed artwork by Milan Vavroň. While the game may have a steep learning curve for new players, the strategic depth and replay value make it worth the investment for board game enthusiasts. Its availability in both new and used markets offers options for players looking to add it to their collection.

For those who enjoy city building and resource management games, 20th Century is definitely worth your time. However, casual gamers or those looking for a quicker gameplay experience may want to skip this title. Alternatives such as Suburbia or Terraforming Mars offer similar gameplay mechanics and themes for players seeking a different city building experience. Overall, 20th Century is a solid choice for players looking for a challenging and strategic board game experience.

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