The Acts of the Evangelists (2022) Board Game

The Acts of the Evangelists is a board game that was released in 2022 and designed by Rebecca McConnell. It falls under the category of Ancient and Religious games, focusing on the actions of the evangelists in spreading the teachings of Christianity. The game aims to provide players with a fun and educational experience as they navigate through the challenges faced by the early followers of Jesus.

Game Components of The Acts of the Evangelists

Action Octagons: Three octagons per player to initiate actions.

Codex Leaf Cards: Each player starts with three codex leaves, each accommodating two tradition cards.

Tradition Cards: Representing the life and sayings of Jesus of Nazareth.

Eyewitness Tokens: Nine eyewitnesses whose interviews are crucial for the game.

Follow Tokens: Used to follow an opponent’s action.

Theme Cards: Define the perspective on Jesus’ identity (e.g., perfect human, Jewish messiah, Son of God).

Map: Featuring nine cities of the Roman Empire.

How To Setup The Acts of the Evangelists

To set up the game, each player receives three codex leaf cards and three action octagons. The tradition cards and eyewitness tokens are placed within reach of all players. Each player is assigned a theme card, which outlines their perspective on Jesus’ identity. The map of the Roman Empire is set up, showing the nine cities where players can travel and acquire traditions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Travel: Players can travel two spaces using one action octagon or further if a ship is available.

Acquire Traditions: Gain tradition cards about Jesus’ life and sayings.

Interview Eyewitnesses: Interview eyewitnesses to validate traditions, with the risk of some being deceased.

Rearrange Text: Rearrange the codex leaves to create a cohesive literary account.

Follow Actions: Use follow tokens to duplicate an opponent’s action.

Game Objective: The goal is to compose a gospel that matches your theme, scoring points for interviewed witnesses, literary devices, and matching traditions.

Player Experience

In **The Acts of the Evangelists**, players embark on a historical and literary journey, composing the texts of the Christian gospels. The game challenges players to manage limited action octagons, making tough decisions on traveling, acquiring traditions, and interviewing eyewitnesses. The dynamic of following opponents’ actions adds a social element, as players must strategically decide when to piggyback on others’ progress. The game’s theme and mechanics evoke the pressures and biases inherent in historical storytelling.

Pros

Deep Historical Theme: Engages players in the composition of the gospels, offering a unique historical perspective.

Complex Decision-Making: Managing action octagons and follow tokens requires strategic thinking.

Social Interaction: The follow mechanic encourages player interaction and strategic alliances.

Literary Element: Players must arrange their traditions into a coherent narrative.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: The game’s mechanics and theme can be complex for new players.

Limited Action Points: The pressure to make the most of three action octagons per turn can be overwhelming.

Luck Element: The randomness of eyewitness availability can affect gameplay significantly.

Personal Thoughts on The Acts of the Evangelists

**The Acts of the Evangelists** is ideal for players who appreciate historical and thematic depth in their board games. It is suited for those who enjoy strategic planning, social interaction, and literary elements. While it may not be the best fit for casual or younger players due to its complexity, it offers a rich and immersive experience for those interested in history, religion, and game design as a form of storytelling.

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