| Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization is a | | | | opera and movies later on), and combine them |
| civilization-building board game by Vlaada Chvatil | | | | with the effects of great leaders such as J. S. |
| that spans the history of human civilization. Guide | | | | Bach or a Rock & Roll Icon to generate lots |
| your civilization up from antiquity, through the | | | | of culture from the Renaissance onwards. Or you |
| middle ages and into modern times, and defeat all | | | | could recruit the fearsome Genghis Khan and |
| rival civilizations who dare to stand against you! | | | | create a huge cavalry army that will earn you |
| Ever since Sid Meier's Civilization computer game | | | | culture by sheer domination. Or you could even |
| was created in the early 1990's, the idea of | | | | complete wonders of the modern age such as |
| civilization-building has captured the imaginations of | | | | the Internet and the First Space Flight to earn |
| millions of players. It is therefore only natural that | | | | endgame culture. The options are nearly limitless! |
| players would want that same experience in | | | | However, if this were the only aspect of the |
| board game form so that they can play | | | | game, it would end up becoming a game of |
| face-to-face with their friends. There have been | | | | multiplayer solitaire. There is plenty of interaction |
| many board games in this genre (including the | | | | between players in Through the Ages. If you |
| original Civilization board game on which Sid Meier | | | | have a larger army than your opponents, you |
| based his computer game), but none has | | | | could initiate aggressions and wars against them. |
| managed to combine the epic feel of | | | | Doing this can allow you to steal their technology |
| civilization-building with sleek mechanics as well as | | | | or culture, or even plunder their resources and |
| Through the Ages has. | | | | raze their buildings! Anything to give yourself a leg |
| The objective in Through the Ages is to build a | | | | up in this race. |
| civilization that is greater than all others. The full | | | | You will also have to compete with other players |
| game will take you from the Age of Antiquity | | | | when you colonize new territories, sending in your |
| through the Middle Ages, the Age of Exploration | | | | armies to claim new land. There are also less |
| and finish up in the Modern Age. During this time, | | | | aggressive forms of interaction such as research |
| you have to make sure your civilization ends up | | | | and defensive pacts that you can make with |
| being the most powerful with the most lasting | | | | other civilizations, helping each other as you |
| legacy. This is measured in the game using culture, | | | | advance through the ages. You can also "seed" |
| which represents your civilization's overall mastery | | | | events that will change the course of history |
| and glory. This is done by developing your military, | | | | (hopefully in your favor). If you have the lowest |
| religion, technology and government; and the | | | | culture, why not include a barbarian uprising event |
| civilization that manages these sectors most | | | | which will destroy the buildings of the more |
| wisely will win the game. | | | | cultured civilizations? |
| There are two types of actions in Through the | | | | As you can tell, there is so much going on in |
| Ages: civil and military actions. Civil actions allow | | | | Through the Ages that a review can hardly cover |
| you to obtain and play civil cards such as leaders, | | | | everything. There are a few quibbles though that |
| wonders, technologies and governments, as well | | | | prevent it from being the perfect |
| as grow your population and construct buildings. | | | | civilization-building game. It would be nice to have |
| Military actions let you draw and play military | | | | a map which shows the reach and influence of |
| cards such as wars, pacts, territories and events, | | | | your civilization and its borders with either friendly |
| as well as hire armies. These actions limit the | | | | or hostile players. Unfortunately, there isn't one in |
| amount of things you can do each turn, and can | | | | this game. The major drawback though is the |
| be increased by adopting advanced governments | | | | amount of time it takes. A full game with 4 |
| or researching technologies. | | | | players can last over 4 hours, and that is if every |
| You start the game with the most basic | | | | player is experienced in the game. You need a |
| knowledge such as farming, mining and religion. | | | | pretty large time investment in order to play it. |
| You need food to grow your population, | | | | After all, building a civilization from antiquity right |
| resources to construct buildings and hire soldiers, | | | | thru the modern age isn't something you can do |
| science to research new technologies and | | | | in an hour! |
| happiness to keep your population from rebelling. | | | | The designer has accounted for the time factor |
| These can all be improved as you research new | | | | though. You can play a basic game that ends with |
| technologies. For example, researching the iron | | | | the Middle Ages, or an advanced game that takes |
| technology will allow your mines to produce more | | | | you to the Age of Exploration. However, the full |
| resources, and the scientific method technology | | | | game is still best as you get to experience the |
| will improve your science research. You need all | | | | entire span of human civilization. Overall, Through |
| this in order to create a culture-generating engine | | | | the Ages is the ultimate board game for those |
| that will win you the game. | | | | who love the history of human civilization and |
| There are various ways to generate culture. You | | | | want to see their efforts rewarded by steering |
| could build the Hanging Gardens wonder that will | | | | their civilization to become the most powerful in |
| generate culture right from ancient times. Or you | | | | the world. |
| could build theaters (which can be upgraded to | | | | Complexity: 4.5/5. |