Rome & Roll (2020) Board Game

Rome & Roll is a board game released in 2020 by PSC Games. Designed by Nick Shaw and Dávid Turczi, this game is set in ancient Rome and combines elements of city building, mythology, and dice rolling. Players take on the roles of influential patricians striving to develop the city of Rome and gain favor with the gods.

Game Components of Rome & Roll

Custom dice

Map of the Seven Hills

Character expansion (in Kickstarter Edition)

Building plans and resources

Player boards

How To Setup Rome & Roll

To set up the game, players start by preparing the map of the Seven Hills, which serves as the central game board. Each player receives a personal board and a set of dice. The custom dice are pooled, and players draft from this pool to collect resources and special icons necessary for building. The character expansion, available in the Kickstarter Edition, adds additional player powers and variability.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Roll-and-Write Mechanics: Players roll dice to collect resources and special icons.

Resource Management: Manage resources to build buildings and expand the empire.

Map Building: Draw buildings onto the map of the Seven Hills.

Player Powers: Utilize unique abilities from characters (especially in the Kickstarter Edition).

Game Objective: The goal is to build the most impressive empire by constructing buildings, managing resources efficiently, and leveraging player powers.

Player Experience

**Rome & Roll** offers a immersive experience with a great mix of strategic planning and tactical execution. Players engage in drafting dice, managing resources, and building structures on a shared map. The game’s medium weight ensures it is challenging yet accessible, making it appealing to a wide range of board game enthusiasts.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers a rich mix of resource management and building strategies.

Replayability: The dice drafting mechanism and player powers provide high replay value.

Engaging Map Building: The shared map of the Seven Hills adds a fun and collaborative aspect.

Character Variety: The character expansion introduces diverse abilities, enhancing gameplay.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for new players due to the number of mechanics and strategies.

Setup Time: Setting up the game can be somewhat time-consuming, especially with the character expansion.

Luck Factor: The roll of the dice introduces an element of luck that may affect gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Rome & Roll

**Rome & Roll** is ideal for fans of Euro games and those who enjoy strategic planning with a mix of luck and player interaction. It is particularly suited for players looking for a medium-weight game that offers depth without being too complex. While it may not be the best fit for beginners due to its mechanics and setup, it is a great addition to any experienced board game enthusiast’s collection.

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