Greece Lightning (2021) Board Game

Greece Lightning is a board game released in 2021, designed by Anthony Cournoyer and published by WizKids. The game is set in ancient Greece, combining elements of mythology, nautical themes, and racing. Players take on the roles of captains racing their triremes through the Aegean Sea, facing various challenges and obstacles along the way.

Game Components of Greece Lightning

4 player boards

8 ship meeples

4 wake tokens

4 custom navigation dice

8 movement dice

36 Favor of the Gods cards

Golden Fleece token

Lap Counter Board

Starting Line wedge

Central Whirlpool

28 Racecourse wedges

Rulebook.

How To Setup Greece Lightning

To set up the game, players construct a circular track using the 12 starter tiles. Each tile has connecting pathways and stopping points for the ships. The racecourse is dynamic, with new wedges added during the game to alter the track, introducing new paths and hazards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Be the first ship to complete two laps around the circular track.

Dice Rolling: Players roll a Navigation die and one or two Movement dice. Rolling a third die risks losing the Movement dice if the roll is lower than the second die.

Racecourse Changes: The track changes with new wedges added, affecting the shortest paths and introducing hazards.

Favor of the Gods: Players collect cards granting powerful abilities.

Hydra Encounters: Feed the Hydra with fish to avoid losing a turn.

Golden Fleece: The last-place ship receives a token that doubles the value of their Navigation die.

Player Experience

Greece Lightning offers a quick and moderately fun experience, especially suitable for family game nights with younger children. The game is light on strategy, with gameplay often influenced by luck rather than deep decision-making. The dynamic track and various elements like whirlpools and Favor of the Gods cards add some excitement, but the overall depth is limited. Games typically last between 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the number of players.

Pros

Great Concept: The mythological Greek setting and dynamic racecourse are interesting and engaging.

Quick Playtime: Games are short, making it a good fit for family evenings.

Moderate Fun: It’s enjoyable in short bursts, especially for younger players.

Cons

Fiddly Components: The game involves a lot of bits and pieces, which can be cumbersome to manage.

Little Luck Mitigation: The push-your-luck mechanic doesn’t offer much strategy to mitigate bad rolls.

Overpowered Catch-Up Mechanism: The Golden Fleece token can significantly boost the last-place ship.

Random Powers: Favor of the Gods cards have random effects that can be unbalanced.

Personal Thoughts on Greece Lightning

Greece Lightning is ideal for families with younger children or for those looking for a light, casual gaming experience. While it lacks depth in strategy, it’s a fun and quick game that can be enjoyed in short sessions. However, players seeking more complex gameplay might find it too simplistic. It’s a great introduction to racing games and can spark an interest in more strategic games as players grow older.

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