Hellenica: Story of Greece (2019) Board Game

Hellenica: Story of Greece is a board game that takes players back to ancient Greece, where they must compete to build the most powerful city-states and influence the destiny of the land. Designed by Scott DeMers and Marco Primo, this game combines elements of mythology, territory building, and city building to create an immersive gaming experience.

Game Components of Hellenica: Story of Greece

Map: A large, beautifully designed map of the Aegean Basin.

Miniatures: Nicely produced miniatures representing armies and city-states.

City-state cards: Seven beginning city-states such as Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Troy, Byzantium, Corcyra, and Thebes.

Goal cards: Secret and public goals for players to achieve.

Bots: Basic and advanced bot rules for solo or smaller group play.

Neoprene map: Available for maximum setup, requiring significant space.

How To Setup Hellenica: Story of Greece

Setting up the game involves choosing the map size and number of players. For a more interactive game, it is recommended to reduce the map size if playing with fewer than 4-5 players. The setup includes placing city-state cards, distributing goal cards, and setting up the map with the respective city-states and their starting resources.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

3.5X Mechanics: Players engage in eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate, but with limited exploration as the map is largely open and obvious.

City-state Management: Harness the powers of one of seven beginning city-states.

Goal Achievement: Complete a combination of secret and public goals to become the preeminent symbol of Greece.

Multiplay Modes: Competitive, cooperative, and solo play options.

Bot Integration: Basic and advanced bot rules to enhance solo or smaller group play.

Player Experience

Playing **Hellenica: Story of Greece** is an immersive experience that blends historical and mythological elements. The game allows players to choose between various paths such as being a warmonger, a peaceful philosopher, or a devoted priest. The initial games can be quite extensive, with setup, play, and cleanup requiring significant time. However, the game’s beauty and complexity make it engaging, especially with the option to reduce the map size for more interactive gameplay with fewer players.

Pros

Visual Appeal: The game looks gorgeous with well-produced miniatures and a beautiful map.

Multiplay Options: Supports competitive, cooperative, and solo play with basic and advanced bot rules.

Historical and Mythological Depth: Combines science, mythology, development, and war in Ancient Greece.

Customizable Play: Players can choose their path and goals, offering varied gameplay experiences.

Cons

Time-Consuming: Setup, play, and cleanup take a considerable amount of time.

Space Requirements: The maximum setup with the neoprene map requires significant space.

Map Size: Full map can be too large for smaller groups of players.

Personal Thoughts on Hellenica: Story of Greece

**Hellenica: Story of Greece** is ideal for those who enjoy complex civilization games with a historical twist. It is perfect for players interested in Ancient Greece and who appreciate the combination of strategy, mythology, and development. The game’s flexibility in play modes and the inclusion of bots make it accessible to a wide range of player groups, from solo players to larger gatherings. However, it may not be the best fit for those looking for quick, light-hearted games due to its extensive setup and gameplay time.

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