Through the Ages
Ξ October 2nd, 2008 | → | ∇ Boardgames |
Finally got this game after reading good reviews for it from Hiew’s Boardgame Blog. Since the cheras game group already have a copy, I sold my Agricola to an appreciative gamer and use the funds to buy Through the Ages. Not many gamers bought this game as it is overpriced for a simple board, a bunch of cards and a handful of wooden cubes. But in the interest of trying new games, I bought it.
My first impression of reading the rules is that it is very much like the Civilisation computer game and hence very intuitive in its rules. It was later when I introduced it to jeffg8 and wolfx that I realise from their questioning, the game is NOT intuitive to gamers not familiar with Civilisation the computer game. There are frequent confusion with the usage of food (increase population) and resources (transform unused population to production/urban buildings).
The other contenders for most confused rule are:
1. ‘action card may not be played in the round it is taken’ rule
2. ‘limit one leader per age’ rule
3. ‘need one free population to build buildings’ rule
4. ‘reveal a new event every starting player turn’ rule
Not to hammer the game or something but the rules are numerous and the wordy quick reference cards do not make easy reading.
But once you get used to the rules (spare a thought also for the game owner who have to remember and do all the setup and housekeeping) , this game is a blast!
We did this game on the eve of Hari Raya, the first 2 games 2 player with myself and jefg8 while wolfx joined in for a 3rd round 3 player game. In all games we did the SIMPLE game version where the political, happiness and corruption rules weren’t enforced yet. A good gentle introduction to the myriad Through the Ages rules.
Overall a thumbs up impression from all of us and the comment that the game ended as quickly as it started. Well, that’s because the simple game only went up to Age I and not all the rules were enforced yet! Maybe for the next intro game I’ll throw people into the deep end of the pool and see if they sink or swim (heheheh).
The other comment was that the game feels like a Race Through the Ages game. It certainly feels like that, with all of us not being able to do everything that we like. Not sure this type of game will appeal to everyone, but the last time I heard that sort of comment, it was given favourably for the game Puerto Rico.
jefg8 (right) giving wolfx (left) a pointer on the building mechanism.
on October 2nd, 2008 at 8:44 am
I never played the simple version of Through the Ages. Some who have played it didn’t like it and the experience soured the game for them. Good that it worked out well for you guys. I find the simple version a bit distorted, because some of the rules are rather different from the advanced or full version. It may take some getting used to when you first play the advanced version. Between advanced and full version, very few changes, just that sometimes you can easily forget to get rid of 2 yellow tokens at the end of an age.
on October 3rd, 2008 at 9:14 am
Yah… there is some skewing in the simple game due to the happiness and corruption rule not taking place. The efficiency of the civilisations dropped down the drain since there was no penalty for stockpiling.
But yea, looking forward to trying the ‘tougher’ rules next!
on October 5th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Tried this thanks to Heng. We did the Advanced Ver and I’ve to agree with Hiew, if we are doing this with seasoned gamers, start them off with either the Adv or Full game. Skip the Simple Game.
Not having to worry about happiness, corruption etc only takes away some of the reasons why the game is good.
on October 5th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Hahaha, Ok, seems like the seasoned gamers have spoken their preference