A board game box titled "HISTORY OF THE WORLD" with an illustration showing a progression of historical figures across different eras lined up diagonally across from a globe, and the logo for "Gibsons Games" in the bottom right corner.
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History of the World (2018)

ByMichail

History of the World

“History of the World” is a board game designed by Ragnar Brothers and originally published in 1991. The game takes players through the history of humankind, from ancient Sumeria to the pre-World War I era, with each player controlling a new rising empire. The game has been redesigned and updated over the years, with the 2018 edition featuring five epochs and the 2009 edition featuring six epochs.

Why is History of the World Popular?

The game is popular because it provides a hands-on experience of history, allowing players to learn about different eras and empires while having fun. It has been well-received, winning the Origins Award for “Best Pre-20th Century Boardgame of 1993”. Additionally, the game’s concept of scoring based on control of a region influenced the design of other board games, such as Twilight Struggle (2005).

Game Components of History of the World

  • Game Board: A large, geographically accurate map of the world divided into 13 colored regions.
  • Empire Cards: Each card represents a historical empire with unique advantages and disadvantages.
  • Event Cards: Greater and Lesser Event cards that provide special effects and advantages.
  • Army Pieces: Colored army units for each player.
  • Region Tokens: Tokens indicating the point values for each region in different epochs.
  • Score Markers: Markers to track players’ scores.

    How To Setup History of the World

    To set up the game, each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding score marker and all armies of that color. The unused score markers and armies are returned to the game box. The game board is prepared by placing the region tokens according to the current epoch. Each player starts with a score of zero, and the region tokens are updated to reflect the point values for the first epoch.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

    Mechanics

  • Epochs: The game is played over five epochs, each representing a different historical period.
  • Empire Drafting: Players draft empire cards at the start of each epoch, with the player in last place choosing first.
  • Area Control: Players expand their empires by placing armies on the board, occupying territories and scoring points.
  • Combat: Dice-based combat is used to resolve conflicts when a player tries to occupy a territory already controlled by another player.
  • Event Cards: Players can use event cards to gain special advantages.

    Game Objective

    The objective is to have the most points at the end of the five epochs by controlling territories, capitals, cities, and monuments.

    Player Experience

    **History of the World** offers a dynamic and engaging experience where players take on the roles of various historical empires, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses. The game requires strategic planning, as players must balance expanding their empires with defending their existing territories. The drafting mechanism ensures that each player has a fair chance to compete, preventing any single player from dominating the game too early.

    Pros

  • Historical Theme: The game provides a fun and educational experience by traversing through different historical periods.
  • Balanced Gameplay: The drafting system and event cards keep the game balanced, ensuring no player can run away with the lead.
  • Tactical Depth: Despite its relatively simple rules, the game offers significant tactical depth.
  • Visuals and Components: The 2018 edition is praised for its updated graphics and high-quality components.

    Cons

  • Long Playtime: The game can take between 135 to 270 minutes to complete.
  • Complex Initial Setup: Setting up the game for the first time can be somewhat complex due to the numerous components and rules.
  • High Player Competition: With multiple players competing for the same territories, the game can feel brutal, especially with higher player counts.

    Personal Thoughts on History of the World

    **History of the World** is ideal for fans of historical themes and area control games. It is best suited for players who enjoy strategic gameplay and are willing to invest time in a game. The game is highly accessible due to its simple core mechanics, but it also offers enough complexity to keep experienced gamers engaged. If you enjoy games like Sid Meier’s Civilization or Smallworld, **History of the World** is definitely worth checking out. However, it may not be the best fit for those looking for a quick, light-hearted gaming session.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl