Civilization (1980) – Board Game Guys

Civilization

“Civilization” is a board game designed by Francis Tresham and published in 1980. It is widely considered one of the most influential games in the strategy genre and is cited as foundational to both the grand strategy and 4X subgenres.

Game Components of Civilization

Game Board: Representing a map of the world

Player Tokens: Each player has unique tokens

Resource Cards: For managing resources like food, ore, and trade

Technology Trees: To track technological advancements

Trade Tokens: For facilitating trade between players

Civilization Cards: Representing different civilizations with unique abilities

How To Setup Civilization

Setting up Civilization involves several steps:

Each player chooses a civilization and places their tokens on the board.

Resource cards are distributed, and players start with a set amount of resources.

The game board is laid out, and trade tokens are placed accordingly.

Players determine the starting player, usually through a random draw.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Area Control: Players expand their civilization by controlling areas on the board.

Resource Management: Managing food, ore, and trade to sustain and grow the civilization.

Trading: Players can trade resources with each other.

Technological Advancements: Advancing through the technology tree to gain new abilities and resources.

Game Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most victory points by controlling areas, advancing technologically, and trading effectively.

Player Experience

Playing Civilization is a complex and engaging experience. Players must balance resource management with expansion and technological advancement. The game requires strategic thinking and often involves negotiation and trade with other players. It is a game that rewards long-term planning and adaptability.

Pros

Deep Strategic Depth: Offers complex gameplay mechanics that appeal to strategy enthusiasts.

High Replayability: Different civilizations and random resource distribution ensure varied gameplay.

Social Interaction: Trading and negotiation add a social layer to the game.

Historical Context: Provides a glimpse into the development of civilizations through the ages.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: New players may find the rules and mechanics overwhelming.

Long Playtime: Games can take several hours to complete.

Limited Player Count: Best played with 2-4 players; more players can extend the playtime significantly.

Personal Thoughts on Civilization

Civilization is a game for those who enjoy deep strategy and are willing to invest time in learning its mechanics. It is ideal for players who appreciate resource management, area control, and technological advancement. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity and long playtime, it is a classic that has influenced many modern strategy games and remains a favorite among many board game enthusiasts.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.