Through the Ages (2015 ed)
Sub-titled " A New Story of Civilization" (my emphasis), this is a re-vamp of the brilliant original from 2006. The rules haven't been changed too much, just streamlined so that the game plays a bit more quickly. What has changed completely is the artwork: updated to match the app version.
There is no map in the game, players' nations are represented more abstractly as a set of cards and markers on several tracks. The cards are at the heart of the game: each turn players can take more and/or use what they already have – their actions are limited, though. Cards can be leaders, wonders of the world or new technologies in various forms: military, farming, production, science, culture and so on.
Players have to balance their production, their population, their technology and their military power to best effect, while dealing with events that pop up. Not to mention dealing with each other – that's where the military strength comes in!
This is a great update of a terrific game that I heartily recommend. And it's now been expanded with New Leaders and Wonders (and a lot more).
For 2-4 players, aged 14+, playing time 2+ hours: £56.00 (£46.67 outside the UK)
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