Advanced Civilization (1991) Board Game

Advanced Civilization is a board game that was released in 1991 by Avalon Hill. It is a reimplementation of the original Civilization board game, which was designed by Francis Tresham. Advanced Civilization is known for its complex gameplay, strategic depth, and negotiation mechanics that require players to form alliances and trade resources to succeed.

Game Components of Advanced Civilization

Number of players: 2-8

Setup time: 15 minutes

Playing time: 5-12 hours

Components:
– Archaeological Succession Table (AST)
– Civilization cards
– Commodities cards
– Calamity cards
– Tokens for cities and treasury
– Rulebook

How To Setup Advanced Civilization

To set up Advanced Civilization, you first need to own the original Civilization game, as this is an expansion. Begin by arranging the game board, which includes the Archaeological Succession Table. Shuffle and distribute the Civilization cards, commodities cards, and calamity cards. Each player selects a starting position on the board and receives initial tokens and cards. The setup process is relatively straightforward but requires some time to organize all the components.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game mechanics:
– Resource management
– Trading
– Strategy
– Tactics
– Diplomacy

Game objective:
– Earn points by advancing on the Archaeological Succession Table (AST)
– Accumulate points from civilization cards, cities, trade cards, and tokens in the treasury
– The player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner

Player Experience

Playing Advanced Civilization can be a lengthy but engaging experience. The game introduces several new features such as unlimited Civilization cards, new commodities and calamity cards, and simplified trade rules. Players must balance resource management, trading, and strategic decisions to advance on the AST. The game encourages diplomacy and strategic thinking, especially during the trade phase where players must negotiate and manage risks associated with calamities.

Pros

Enhanced gameplay: Introduces new mechanics and clarifies rules from the original game.

Increased replayability: New cards and calamities add variety to each playthrough.

Simplified trade: Makes trading more efficient and exciting.

Support for more players: Includes rules for up to 8 players.

Cons

Complexity: Can be overwhelming for new players due to the addition of new rules and components.

Lengthy gameplay: Games can last from 5 to 12 hours.

Out of print: The game is no longer in print, making it harder to acquire.

Personal Thoughts on Advanced Civilization

Advanced Civilization is ideal for seasoned board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex strategy and diplomacy. It is particularly suited for groups of 5 or more players, as it allows for a more dynamic and interactive experience. However, due to its complexity and lengthy gameplay, it may not be the best choice for casual gamers or those new to board games. Despite being out of print, it remains a classic among strategy game fans and is highly regarded for its depth and engagement.

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