Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization (2015) Board Game

Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization is a civilization-building board game designed by Vlaada Chvátil and published by Czech Games Edition in in 2015. It is the spiritual successor to the original Through the Ages game, with updated mechanics and components.

Game Components of Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization

Cards: Divided into civil and military categories, representing concepts like technology, units, wonders, leaders, wars, and events.

Action Pools: Civil and military action pools to determine the number of actions players can take.

Resource Tokens: Representing food, resources, and science.

Leader Cards: Unique leaders with special abilities.

Event Deck: Introduces historical events that impact gameplay.

Age Decks: Cards that serve as a timer, advancing the game through different historical ages.

How To Setup Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization

To set up the game, players need to arrange the card rows according to the different ages, distribute the starting resources, and each player selects a starting leader. The event deck is also prepared, and players begin with a set number of civil and military actions. A detailed setup involves ensuring all components are organized and within reach, as the game involves managing multiple resources and cards simultaneously.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Card Drafting: Players draft cards to advance their civilization.

Auction/Bidding: Players bid for actions and resources.

Events: Historical events that affect gameplay.

Action Points: Players use civil and military action points to perform actions.

Income: Managing resources such as food, materials, and science.

Game Objective

Accumulate the most culture points by developing technologies, building structures, appointing leaders, and engaging in military actions.

Player Experience

Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization is a game that rewards strategic thinking and long-term planning. Players must balance their resources, military strength, and technological advancements to succeed. The game has a steep learning curve, especially for new players, but it becomes more enjoyable as players grasp its complexities. Player interaction is mostly indirect, with players focusing on their own civilization but also competing through events and military actions.

Pros

High Replayability: Each game can play out differently due to the card drafting mechanism and player choices.

Deep Strategy: Multiple paths to victory and significant long-term effects from early decisions.

Solo Variant: Available for players who want to enjoy the game alone.

High Quality Components: Justifies the higher cost with its robust and detailed components.

Cons

Complexity: Can be intimidating for new players due to the numerous mechanics and components.

Learning Curve: Requires several games to fully understand all the strategies and mechanics.

Indirect Player Interaction: May not be suitable for players who prefer direct competition.

Cost: On the higher end of the spectrum compared to other board games.

Personal Thoughts on Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization

This game is ideal for serious board gamers who enjoy deep, complex gameplay and are willing to invest time in learning its intricacies. It is not suited for casual players or those who prefer simpler, more direct competitive games. For fans of civilization-building and strategy, Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization offers a rich and rewarding experience that simulates the grand sweep of human history. However, its complexity and fiddly nature may deter some players, especially in initial games.

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