The Wars of Marcus Aurelius (2018) Board Game

The Wars of Marcus Aurelius is a board game that takes players back to ancient Rome during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The game focuses on the military campaigns and battles that Marcus Aurelius undertook to defend the Roman Empire against invading forces, including Germanic tribes and other enemies.

Game Components of The Wars of Marcus Aurelius

22″ x 17″ mapsheet

54 3/4″ counters

100 cards in two decks (Roman and Barbarian)

12-page Rulebook

2 six-sided dice

How To Setup The Wars of Marcus Aurelius

To set up the game, you need to lay out the map, which features tracks for the barbarian tribes and various conflict areas. Place the counters on their designated starting positions, shuffle and draw the initial hand of Roman cards, and prepare the Barbarian Deck. The Imperium Point Track, which measures the authority and support for Marcus Aurelius, is also set up at the beginning of the game. The game starts in 170 CE, with the Roman player facing immediate threats from the Marcomanni, Quadi, and Iazyges tribes.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Card-driven game (CDG) mechanics

Hand management

Dice rolling for battles

Resource management (Imperium Points)

Game Objective

The objective is to push the three barbarian tribes back to their home territory and defeat them there.

Win the game by subduing all three tribes at the beginning of an in-game year.

Lose the game if the Marcomanni reach Rome, if you run out of Imperium Points, or if the game extends beyond 180 CE without victory.

Player Experience

Playing The Wars of Marcus Aurelius is a challenging and engaging experience. The game requires strategic decision-making, as you manage your Roman cards to execute actions such as battling, building forts, and responding to various events and conflicts. The game simulates the historical struggle of the Romans against Germanic tribes and Sarmatian raiders, incorporating historical figures and events that add depth and authenticity.

Pros

High solitaire suitability and replayability

Rich decision space with multiple strategies

Excellent integration of historical theme and mechanics

Challenging gameplay with tense decision points

Lightweight yet engaging, suitable for a single evening play

Cons

Can be repetitive with the same basic strategy after multiple plays

Dice rolls can introduce significant randomness, affecting outcomes

Some rounds may be less exciting due to card draws and barbarian actions

Personal Thoughts on The Wars of Marcus Aurelius

This game is perfect for solo players and history enthusiasts, particularly those interested in ancient Rome and the Marcomannic Wars. It offers a light yet engaging war game experience, making it an excellent introduction to the wargame genre. The game’s balance between strategic depth and playtime makes it a great choice for those looking for a fun and challenging solo experience. However, it may not be ideal for players who dislike randomness in gameplay or are looking for a highly complex, long-duration game.

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