Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization (2006) Board Game

Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization is a strategy board game designed by Vlaada Chvátil and published by Czech Board Games in in 2006. The game is centered around building a civilization from ancient times to the modern age, focusing on aspects such as technology, culture, government, and military power. It has received critical acclaim for its depth and complexity, appealing to fans of both civilization-building games and Euro-style board games.

Game Components of Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization

Player boards

Wooden pieces (7 per player)

Stickers for wooden components

Civil cards

Military cards

Tactics cards

Culture points tracker

Science points counter

Culture rating marker

Science rating marker

Strength rating marker

White and red tokens (for civil and military actions)

Translucent cubes (in the new version)

How To Setup Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization

To set up the game, each player chooses a color and places their corresponding player board on the table, leaving ample space around it for their civilization to grow. Each player takes a set of 7 wooden pieces in their chosen color and may decorate them with provided stickers. The player area includes the player board, where various markers and tokens are placed to track progress in culture, science, and military strength.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Action Points: Players use civil and military actions to manage their civilization.

Auction: Dutch: Players engage in auctions for certain resources and cards.

Hand Management: Managing cards to optimize actions and resources.

Open Drafting: Players select cards from a shared pool.

Game Objective

The objective is to accumulate the most culture points by the end of the game. This can be achieved through:

Developing culture-producing buildings and wonders

Using leaders’ special abilities

Stealing culture points from other players via military actions

Increasing population, resources, science, and military strength

Player Experience

Playing Through the Ages is a deeply immersive experience where players guide their civilizations from Antiquity to the Modern Age. Each turn involves strategic decisions on resource management, technological advancements, military expansion, and cultural development. The game requires a balance between short-term needs and long-term strategies, making it engaging and challenging.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers complex and nuanced gameplay.

High Replayability: Different card draws and player choices ensure unique games.

Historical Depth: Covers various ages and historical figures.

Improved Version: The new version addresses previous balance issues and enhances aesthetics.

Cons

Lengthy Gameplay: Games can be quite long, often exceeding 120 minutes.

Complex Rules: Steeper learning curve due to the many mechanics and card interactions.

Potential for Unbalanced Military: Though mitigated in the new version, military imbalance can still be a concern.

Personal Thoughts on Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization

Through the Ages is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy strategic depth and historical themes. The game is not suited for casual players due to its complexity and lengthy gameplay. However, for those who invest the time to learn and master it, the game offers a rich and rewarding experience that simulates the rise and fall of civilizations over millennia. The updated version, Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization, has significantly improved the game’s balance and aesthetics, making it a must-have for fans of the genre.

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