The Heavens of Olympus (2011) Board Game

The Heavens of Olympus is a strategic board game that was released in in 2011. Designed by Martin Hoffmann, Claus Stephan, and Mirko Suzuki, this game takes players into the world of Greek mythology where they take on the roles of powerful gods competing for control over the heavens.

Game Components of The Heavens of Olympus

Game board featuring the Heavens of Olympus

Planet markers

Plan cards for selecting actions

Allotment boards for tracking power

Power tokens

Aether’s Torches markers

Score track markers

Hephestus’ Forge and Power Piles components

Day track marker

Extra player tokens and markers for tracking various game states.

How To Setup The Heavens of Olympus

To set up the game, each player starts by placing a planet onto one of the available heavens spaces on the board. A second planet is then placed, but it cannot be in the same orbit as the first planet. The board is divided into different regions and orbits, with the number of regions used depending on the number of players. Each player receives an allotment board to track their power, a set of Plan cards, and three planet markers. The game also includes setting up Aether’s Torches, which indicate the number of planets a player can light, and initializing the score track and day track markers.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Structure: The game is divided into 5 days, each consisting of three phases: morning, afternoon, and evening.

Action Selection: Players select actions using Plan cards, which can include creating new planets, placing planets, lighting planets, or swapping planets with other players.

Power Management: Players manage their power to perform actions, with power costs varying based on the action chosen.

Competition Costs: Players who choose the same action must pay a competition cost in power.

Scoring: Points are awarded at night for lit planets in regions, majority control of orbits, and forming constellations. The player with the most points at the end of the 5th day wins.

Player Experience

The Heavens of Olympus is a mentally taxing game that requires careful consideration of each move. Players must balance between creating constellations, maintaining lit planets, and managing their power effectively. The game is not light-hearted or jovial but is instead a cerebral challenge, similar to games like Chess or Go. Each decision is crucial due to the limited number of actions available throughout the game.

Pros

Strategic Depth: The game offers a high level of strategic depth with multiple factors to consider, such as maintaining lit planets, forming constellations, and managing power.

Unique Mechanics: The game introduces unique mechanics like keeping stars lit and using a limbo state for newly created stars, which add a fresh twist to the gameplay.

Balanced Decisions: The game forces players to make balanced decisions between short-term and long-term goals, such as choosing between creating large constellations or spreading out to gain more power.

Cons

High Maintenance: The game involves frequent flipping of star tokens and managing complex rules, which can add unnecessary length to the game.

Poor Design and Components: The game has been criticized for its cheap and shoddy components, confusing rules, and poorly designed board and box.

Limited Theme Integration: The game’s theme is minimal and not well-integrated into the gameplay mechanics, which can be a disappointment for players seeking a strong thematic experience.

Personal Thoughts on The Heavens of Olympus

The Heavens of Olympus is best suited for players who enjoy strategic, mentally challenging games. It appeals to those who like games such as Power Grid rather than lighter games like Ticket to Ride. Despite its flaws in design and components, the game offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience for fans of abstract strategy. However, players seeking a well-themed or aesthetically pleasing game might find this title lacking.

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