Revive is a board game published by Aporta Games in in 2022. Designed by Helge Meissner, Kristian Amundsen Østby, Eilif Svensson, and Anna Wermlund, the game falls under the categories of Civilization, Industry/Manufacturing, and Science Fiction. With a runtime of 90-120 minutes and recommended for players aged 14 and above, Revive offers a unique gaming experience with its innovative gameplay mechanics.
Game Components of Revive
Player boards: Double-layered boards with three tech trees and slots for cards.Main board: A large board representing the world with randomly laid out landscape tiles and artifacts.Cards: Multi-use cards with top and bottom actions, population cards, and artifact cards.Resources: Three basic resources (gears, books, food) and one special resource (crystals).Tokens: Action tokens, resource tokens, machine tokens, and hibernation tokens.Meeples: Used for building and populating the landscape.Chests: Provide one-time bonuses.
How To Setup Revive
To set up Revive, each player selects a faction and receives a player board, population cards, and starting resources. The main board is set up with face-down landscape tiles and a specified number of artifacts based on the number of players. Each player places their starting resources on their player board and prepares their card areas.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Multi-use cards: Cards can be used for their top or bottom actions, providing resources and other effects.Deck building: New cards are added to the hand, with a minor deck-building aspect.Tech trees: Players advance on three tracks on their player board to unlock abilities and machines.Tile exploration: Players flip landscape tiles to explore and build on the main board.Route building: Building and placing meeples and houses on the main board to expand influence.Variable player powers: Each faction has unique abilities.Hibernation: Players can hibernate to reset resources and cards, but at a cost.Game objective: The goal is to earn the most victory points by exploring, building, and unlocking technologies before the game ends, which is triggered by the last major artifact being claimed.
Player Experience
Playing Revive is an immersive experience where players feel like they are leading a tribe in a post-apocalyptic world. The game is all about chaining actions together efficiently, using resources to trigger multiple effects and progress on the tech trees. The hibernation mechanism adds a strategic layer, as players must balance resource management with the need to rest and recover. The game’s design makes every action feel meaningful and rewarding.
Pros
Engaging gameplay mechanics: Combines deck building, tech trees, and tile exploration seamlessly.High replayability: Asymmetric player powers, randomized landscape tiles, and secret artifact scoring cards ensure different experiences each time.Visual appeal: The game’s design and components are visually striking and of high quality.Satisfying action chaining: Players can chain actions together to achieve multiple goals in a single turn.
Cons
Complexity: The game has a steep learning curve due to its numerous mechanics and symbols.Theme integration: The theme, while interesting, is not deeply integrated into the gameplay, feeling somewhat like an afterthought.Analysis paralysis: Players prone to overthinking can extend game duration significantly.
Personal Thoughts on Revive
Revive is ideal for fans of euro-style games who enjoy complex, strategic gameplay with a strong focus on resource management and action chaining. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate games like *Lost Ruins of Arnak*, *Gaia Project*, and *Terra Mystica*. While the theme could be more deeply integrated, the gameplay is rich and rewarding, making it a standout in the genre. However, it may not be the best choice for those seeking a highly thematic experience or a quick, simple game.
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