Playing Gods: The Board Game of Divine Domination (2008) Board Game

Playing Gods: The Board Game of Divine Domination was released in 2008 by Balls Out Entertainment. It is a humorous religious wargame that allows players to take on the roles of different gods competing for domination over the mortal world. With a mix of humor and strategy, the game offers a unique gaming experience for 2 to 5 players.

Game Components of Playing Gods: The Board Game of Divine Domination

Game Board: A map of the world with Holy Cities for each continent.

Player Pawns: Six pawns representing different gods, such as Jesus, Buddha, and others.

Wrath Cards: Used to bring down natural disasters and other Acts of God on opponents’ followers.

Conversion Cards: Used to convert followers of other gods to your own beliefs.

Sticker Sheet: Allows players to create and add their own gods and religions.

Rulebook: Includes instructions for setup and gameplay.

How To Setup Playing Gods: The Board Game of Divine Domination

To set up the game, each player chooses a god and places their pawn on the outer ring of the board. Each player starts with a set of followers in their respective Holy City. The deck of Wrath and Conversion cards is shuffled, and each player draws a starting hand. The game is ready to begin once all players have their initial followers and cards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Control: Players control and expand their influence over different regions.

Card Play: Use Wrath cards to kill off opponents’ followers and Conversion cards to convert them.

Resource Management: Manage cards to maximize your influence.

Objective: The game is won when one god converts or kills off all the other gods’ followers.

Player Experience

Playing Gods offers a unique blend of satire and strategy, but it has received mixed reviews. Players praise the game’s humor and creative card content, such as “Bring down the plague: Kill two sects” or “Your preacher is found with a prostitute, lose one sect.” However, the gameplay has been criticized for being boring and lacking meaningful decisions.

Pros

Satirical Humor: The game’s use of satire to address religious conflicts is appreciated by many.

Customization: Players can create their own gods using the provided sticker sheet.

Unique Theme: It stands out with its bold and provocative theme.

Cons

Boring Gameplay: Critics find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in strategic depth.

Offensive Content: Some players and stores have found the game’s content to be offensive due to its depiction of religious figures and themes.

Poor Reviews: The game has a low average rating on platforms like BoardGameGeek.

Personal Thoughts on Playing Gods: The Board Game of Divine Domination

**Playing Gods** is for players who appreciate satire and are not easily offended by provocative themes. It is best suited for those interested in area control games and who enjoy social commentary. However, due to its controversial nature and mixed reviews, it may not be the best choice for all gaming groups. The game’s ability to spark conversation and its unique approach to addressing religious violence make it a noteworthy addition to any collection of satirical games.

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