Era of Inventions (2010) Board Game

Era of Inventions is a board game released in 2010, designed by Hans Janssen and featuring artwork by HUCH! and Quined Games. The game falls into the category of industry/manufacturing, with a worker placement mechanic. It is designed for 3-5 players, with a runtime of about 90 minutes and recommended for players aged 12 and up.

Game Components of Era of Inventions

Game board: Representing the timeline and landscape of inventions.

Inventor cards: Featuring pioneers like Alexander Graham Bell and Karl Benz.

Invention cards: Detailing various historical inventions.

Resource tokens: Used for managing and executing inventions.

Player tokens: For tracking progress and ownership.

How To Setup Era of Inventions

To set up the game, players first lay out the game board, which displays a timeline of historical events and invention opportunities. Each player chooses an inventor and places their token on the starting position. Inventor cards and invention cards are shuffled and distributed according to the rules. Resource tokens are also distributed to each player to manage their invention process.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Management: Players must manage resources to invent and improve technologies.

Card Drafting: Players draft inventor and invention cards to advance their progress.

Engine-Building: Players build their inventors’ capabilities over time.

Area Control: Players vie for control over different invention areas on the board.

Game Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most points by successfully inventing and improving technologies, as well as controlling key invention areas.

Player Experience

Playing **Era of Inventions** feels like a journey through history, where players get to relive the moments of groundbreaking discoveries. The game requires strategic thinking and resource management, making it engaging and challenging. Players need to balance their short-term goals with long-term strategies, adding a layer of complexity and depth.

Pros

Educational: Players learn about historical inventors and their inventions.

Strategic Depth: Offers complex gameplay with multiple strategies.

Thematic Immersion: Strong historical theme that enhances the gaming experience.

Replayability: High replay value due to the variety of inventor and invention cards.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for new players due to the number of rules and components.

Length: Games can be quite long, requiring a significant time commitment.

Luck Element: Card drafting introduces an element of luck, which might not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on Era of Inventions

**Era of Inventions** is ideal for players who enjoy strategy, history, and engine-building mechanics. It is particularly suited for those who appreciate a game that combines educational value with engaging gameplay. However, due to its complexity and length, it may not be the best fit for casual or new board game enthusiasts.

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