Age of Renaissance (1996) – Board Game Guys

Age of Renaissance

Age of Renaissance is a board game designed by Don Greenwood and Jared Scarborough and published by Avalon Hill in 1996. The game is set in the European Renaissance historical era and is somewhat of a sequel to Civilization. In 1997, Age of Renaissance won the Origins Award for Best Pre-20th Century Board Game of 1996.

Why is Age of Renaissance Popular?

Age of Renaissance is a popular game among board game enthusiasts due to its complex Gameplay Mechanics of Age of Renaissance and strategic depth. It is often described as a semi-sequel to Civilization. The game is significant because it allows players to take on the role of one of six commercial capitals of Europe: Venice, Genoa, Barcelona, London, Paris, and Hamburg, and build up their financial empires.

Game Components of Age of Renaissance

One 22″ x 33″ mounted map

3 counter sheets

64 cards (including events, payout cards, and famous leaders)

1 Player record pad

6 “Log” mats

Dice (though not always included with boxed games).

How To Setup Age of Renaissance

Setting up the game involves each player selecting a city-state and placing their counters on the map. The card deck, which includes events, payout cards, and famous leaders, is shuffled and distributed. Players start with a small trading post and expand their territories across Europe. The game components, including the map, counters, and cards, are organized to facilitate the initial setup, allowing players to dive into the game quickly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Card Play: The game features a card deck that drives gameplay, including events, payouts, and leader abilities. The timing and position of card play are crucial for success.

Resource Management: Players manage resources, with higher quantities of the same resource yielding increasingly higher payouts.

Combat System: An economic “combat” system determines province and resource control, based on the order of play and dice rolls.

Misery Track: Players must manage their culture’s misery level, which increases with excessive spending and can force a player out of the game.

Advances: Players can pursue various Advances such as Communications, Exploration, Religion, and Commerce to gain superiority.

Objective: The main goal is to gain points through technical advances while keeping misery levels low.

Player Experience

Playing **Age of Renaissance** is a complex and engaging experience. The game starts with rapid territorial expansion, but soon shifts to a more strategic phase where players must use Advances and manage resources carefully. The unique “combat” system and the Misery Track add layers of strategy, forcing players to make tough decisions. However, the game’s rules can be dense and difficult to navigate, which may deter some players.

Pros

High Replayability: The game offers a different experience each time due to the variable card play and multiple paths to victory.

Deep Strategy: Players must balance resource management, Advances, and misery levels, making for a challenging and engaging game.

Historical Theme: The game is set in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, offering a rich historical context.

Innovative Mechanics: The economic “combat” system and Misery Track are unique and interesting mechanics.

Cons

Complex Rules: The rules are dense and can be difficult to understand, leading to a steep learning curve.

Time Commitment: The game can take between 120 to 300 minutes to play, requiring a significant time commitment.

Component Overload: Managing the various components, including cards, counters, and the map, can be overwhelming.

Personal Thoughts on Age of Renaissance

**Age of Renaissance** is a game designed for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex, strategic gameplay. It is ideal for players who appreciate deep resource management, historical themes, and innovative mechanics. However, due to its complexity and lengthy gameplay, it may not be suitable for casual gamers or those looking for a quick, straightforward experience. If you are willing to invest the time to learn and master its intricacies, **Age of Renaissance** offers a highly rewarding and intense gaming experience.

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