Inventions: Evolution of Ideas (2024) Board Game

Inventions: Evolution of Ideas is a board game designed by Vital Lacerda and published by Eagle-Gryphon Games. It was released in 2024 and falls into the category of industry/manufacturing games. The game is set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time of great innovation and technological advancement.

Game Components of Inventions: Evolution of Ideas

Game board featuring a map and Assembly area

Pillars of Time tokens

Idea/Invention cards

Milestone tiles

Progress Map tiles

Meeple categories (traders, artisans, thinkers)

Influence tokens

Ingenuity Points (IP) tracker

How To Setup Inventions: Evolution of Ideas

To set up the game, players start by placing the large game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a set of Pillars of Time tokens and places their meeple categories on their personal player mat. The Assembly area is populated with action tokens, and the Progress Map tiles are prepared for each player. The Milestone tiles and Idea/Invention cards are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. The game is ready to begin once each player has their starting resources and the initial setup is complete.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Action Selection: Players place one of their three Pillars of Time on the Assembly area to select actions such as presenting ideas, sending diplomats, or traveling.

Idea/Invention Cards: These cards represent new concepts and inventions that players can discover and share.

Progress Map: Players build their Progress Map by placing tiles that grant ongoing powers, one-time-use boosts, and era-specific bonuses.

Ingenuity Points (IP): The game’s objective is to accumulate the most IP by evolving society through inventions and ideas.

Chain Actions: Players can execute multiple actions in a single turn, including bonus actions triggered by certain milestones.

Turn Structure: The game consists of 13 main turns, with each turn potentially involving multiple actions due to chain effects.

Player Experience

Playing **Inventions: Evolution of Ideas** requires a blend of long-term strategy and tactical thinking. Players need to plan their actions carefully, balancing the need to advance their society with the need to respond to opportunities and challenges as they arise. The game features a complex system of actions and reactions, which can lead to moments of brilliance but also significant downtime as players await their turns. The game’s design encourages creativity and strategic thinking, making it appealing to players who enjoy deep, intricate gameplay.

Pros

Deep Strategy: The game offers a rich tapestry of strategic options and long-term planning.

Creative Freedom: Players have the flexibility to pursue various actions and combinations, leading to unique gameplay experiences.

Thematic Depth: The game covers the entirety of human history, making it a compelling choice for those interested in historical and technological development.

Visual Appeal: The game board and artwork by Ian O’Toole are highly praised for their cleanliness and aesthetic appeal.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a steep learning curve, which can be daunting for new players.

Downtime: The game mechanics can lead to significant downtime as players watch others execute complex chains of actions.

Length: The game can take between 60 to 150 minutes to play, which may be too long for some players.

Personal Thoughts on Inventions: Evolution of Ideas

**Inventions: Evolution of Ideas** is tailored for experienced board game enthusiasts who appreciate complex strategy and deep gameplay mechanics. It is not a game for the faint of heart or those looking for a quick, casual experience. Instead, it rewards players who are willing to invest time and effort into understanding its intricate systems and planning their moves carefully. If you enjoy games like **Monopoly** but are looking for something much more challenging and strategically rich, **Inventions: Evolution of Ideas** could be an excellent addition to your gaming collection.

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