Tempus (2006) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Tempus is a board game designed by Martin Wallace and published by Cafe Games in in 2006. It falls under the categories of Civilization and Territory Building, and is known for its unique gameplay mechanics and strategic depth. The game has received mixed reviews from players and critics, with some praising its complexity and replay value, while others find it overwhelming and difficult to learn.

Game Components of Tempus

Tiles: Each tile features a mixture of five types of terrain: grasslands, farmlands, mountains, woods, and hills.

Player Aid cards: Each player receives one for reference.

Victory Points (VP) system: Essential for tracking progress and triggering key events.

How To Setup Tempus

To set up Tempus, players start by creating the game board using the terrain tiles. Each player selects a starting tile and places it on the table, ensuring that the edges match the adjacent tiles correctly. Players then receive their Player Aid cards and any other necessary components. The VP system is initialized, and any starting resources or tokens are distributed.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Key Mechanics

Tile Placement: Players expand the board by placing new tiles, each with different terrain types.

Territory Control: Managing and expanding territories to gain resources and VPs.

Trial Guardian: A final boss that appears when a player reaches 10 VPs, marking the endgame phase.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate the most Victory Points by controlling territories, managing resources, and overcoming challenges.

Player Experience

Playing Tempus involves a blend of strategic planning and tactical execution. Players need to balance short-term gains with long-term strategies, ensuring they have a diverse set of territories to maximize their resource income. The game can become complex, especially with the introduction of the Trial Guardian, which adds a layer of urgency and challenge.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers a rich and engaging gameplay experience with multiple layers of strategy.

Replayability: The random tile placement ensures each game is unique.

Streamlined Mechanics: Despite its complexity, the game has a simple and intuitive system.

Cons

Learning Curve: Some rules and interactions can be confusing for new players.

Length: Games can be quite long, especially with more players.

Complexity: Managing multiple types of terrain and resources can be overwhelming.

Personal Thoughts on Tempus

Tempus is ideal for fans of strategy and territory management games. It is best suited for experienced players who enjoy deep, complex games that require careful planning and execution. For those new to board games or preferring lighter experiences, Tempus might be too dense and time-consuming. However, for players seeking a challenging and rewarding game, Tempus is an excellent choice.

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