Ave Cesar (2013) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Ave Cesar is a board game released in 2013 that takes place in ancient Rome. Players take on the roles of wealthy Romans trying to gain the favor of Caesar by hosting lavish banquets. The game is designed by Paula Fernández, Marina Friszman, Daniela Gagliano, Germán Guzik, and four more designers, and features artwork by Bureau de Juegos.

Game Components of Ave Caesar

Game board featuring a quasi-variable track

Player chariots

Movement cards

Track variants (depending on the edition)

Bottlenecks and lane-changing restrictions on the track

How To Setup Ave Caesar

To set up Ave Caesar, players first lay out the game board, which features the Roman Coliseum track. Each player chooses a chariot and places it at the starting line. The movement cards are shuffled and distributed to the players. The track itself may vary depending on the edition, with some editions offering modular boards or different track variants.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Count: 2-6 players

Playing Time: 30 minutes

Age: 12 and above

Game Mechanics:
– Card movement: Players use cards to move their chariots around the track.
– Variable track: The track has bottlenecks and lane-changing restrictions, adding complexity to the race.
– Pit stop: Players must stop to ‘Hail Caesar’ before finishing the race.

Game Objective: Be the first player to complete three laps around the track.

Player Experience

Playing Ave Caesar is a delightful mix of strategy and luck. Players need to carefully plan their moves using the cards, navigating through the track’s bottlenecks and making tactical decisions on when to take the longer outside routes or riskier shortcuts. The game’s short playing time and easy-to-learn mechanics make it accessible to a wide range of players, while the challenge of optimizing moves keeps it engaging.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it quick to start playing.

Strategic Depth: Requires tactical thinking to optimize moves.

Variable Track: Adds replayability with different track configurations.

Short Playing Time: Suitable for a quick game session.

Cons

Luck Factor: Card draws can introduce significant luck, affecting gameplay.

Track Limitations: Some editions have limited track variants, which might reduce replayability.

Personal Thoughts on Ave Caesar

Ave Caesar is ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy light-hearted, strategic games. It’s perfect for those looking for a fun, quick game that still offers some depth and challenge. However, players seeking highly complex or long-duration games might find Ave Caesar too simplistic. For its age, Ave Caesar remains a charming and engaging game that captures the essence of ancient Roman chariot racing with modern gaming appeal.

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