City Builder: Ancient World (2021) Board Game

City Builder: Ancient World is a board game released in 2021, designed by Andrew Dorland and published by Inside Up Games. The game is set in ancient times and revolves around players working together to construct the best ancient city. With a runtime of 30-60 minutes and suitable for players aged 8 and above, City Builder: Ancient World offers a fun and engaging gameplay experience.

Game Components of City Builder: Ancient World

Game board

Tiles for city building and monuments

Player tokens and magistrate figures

Resource tokens

Monument cards

Settler tokens

Emperor’s demands cards

How To Setup City Builder: Ancient World

To set up the game, players start by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a magistrate token and places it on the designated starting space. The tile deck is shuffled, and each player draws a set number of tiles based on the game mode. Resource tokens, monument cards, settler tokens, and emperor’s demands cards are also distributed according to the rules. The game is ready to begin once all components are properly arranged and each player understands their starting hand and objectives.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile-Laying Mechanics: Players lay tiles to build and expand their cities.

Resource Management: Players manage resources to construct buildings and monuments.

City Growth: Cities must grow to accommodate incoming settlers.

Monument Building: Players build monuments to please the emperor.

Game Objective: The goal is to build a thriving city that meets the emperor’s demands and accommodates settlers, while also constructing impressive monuments.

Player Experience

Playing **City Builder: Ancient World** involves a mix of strategic planning and tactical execution. Players must balance the need to expand their city with the resources available, all while trying to satisfy the emperor’s demands and accommodate new settlers. The game offers a challenging yet rewarding experience, requiring players to think ahead and manage their resources efficiently.

Pros

Versatile Gameplay: Supports competitive, cooperative, and solo play.

Engaging Mechanics: Tile-laying and resource management mechanics keep the game engaging.

Replayability: Multiple game modes and random tile draws ensure high replayability.

Thematic Depth: Players feel immersed in the task of building a Roman city.

Cons

Complexity: The game may have a steep learning curve for new players.

Setup Time: Setting up the game can take a bit of time due to the number of components.

Space Requirements: The game requires a significant amount of table space to lay out all the tiles and components.

Personal Thoughts on City Builder: Ancient World

**City Builder: Ancient World** is ideal for fans of tile-laying games and those interested in ancient Roman history. It is a great fit for players who enjoy strategic planning and resource management. The game’s versatility in supporting different play modes makes it suitable for both solo players and groups. However, it may not be the best choice for those looking for a quick, simple game due to its complexity and setup time.

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