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Description
The city-building board game Foundations of Rome puts you into the role of an architect competing to own land and build magnificent structures! Build domūs and insulae, fountains, foundries, and more to increase your renown - gaining glory for yourself and the empire! With 96 wonderfully detailed miniatures in the base game, Foundations of Rome is a testament to the glory of Rome that you can bring to the table.
Foundations of Rome is the next, and biggest game to date, in the Dice Tower Essentials line and is designed by famed designer Emerson Matsuuchi. With a quick setup time and easy to learn to rules you will be on your way to achieving glory within Rome in no time!
On a player's turn they select from purchasing a new lot, building a new building in the shared city of Rome, or collecting income!
Players collect Glory Points at the end of each round based on the population and commerce they have brought to the city as well as gaining glory for civic buildings that score not only based on their own buildings, but those of their opponents!
—description from the publisher
Year Published
2022
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 20
This page: 20
Sentiment:
pos 18 ·
mix 1 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 1
Showing 1–20 of 20
Video UWqrcHJ9b80
Dice Tower top_list at 39:57 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13743 · mention_pk 40164
Click to watch at 39:57
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- impressive visuals
- excellent scoring system
- good player interaction through blocking
- holds up well over time
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- ancient Rome
- history
- architecture
Comparison games
- Metropolis
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is my most played game of the year
- It is the perfect engine builder
- absolutely adore this game
- one that instantly I fell really hard for it
- would absolutely watch Oathsworn the HBO series
- the story and the setting is that rich
- for me the epitome of what a thematic game can be
- every click of the clock matters
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video UBWD1-4dF48
Rolls in the Family top_3_list at 7:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13008 · mention_pk 38045
Click to watch at 7:06
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- strong three/five-player tension
- tightly interdependent scoring
- great table presence
Cons
- rules could be dense for newcomers
Thematic elements
- Urban development and civil infrastructure
- Ancient Rome city-building
- Procedural, with overbuilding and adjacency scoring
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Overbuilding — Replace existing buildings with larger ones to shift scoring and space
- tile/area placement — Place tiles to build districts and score points
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the improvements or twists I guess that they make on the original Splendor formula are so much fun
- this game is going to be a keeper in the collection
- the overbuilding rules... room for creative strategic plays
- this mission was just tight and interesting
- Best in Class in terms of worker placement engine building
- three win conditions and deeds tokens make the game dynamic
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video YaCqaY70cg8
Board Game Design Lab general_discussion at 1:04:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12777 · mention_pk 37274
Click to watch at 1:04:27
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Transparent value structure; strong interaction through adjacency
Cons
- Requires careful balance across three scoring pathways
Thematic elements
- shared city-building and adjacency bonuses
- ancient Rome, city-building together with adjacent benefits
- transparent, system-driven
Comparison games
- Glen More II Chronicles
- Suburbia
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- auction/bidding for lots — players bid for spots to place buildings, impacting scoring and adjacency
- shared city-building — players contribute to a common city with local synergies
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Math probably undergirds 99.9% of all games on the market; it's a matter of realizing it or not.
- The more you understand the math, the quicker your design and balancing process can become.
- Uncertainty is the spice that keeps a game interesting; if everything is too transparent, it can feel solvable.
- Perception of balance matters more than perfect mathematical balance—fun and fairness are the real goals.
- Elegance in design comes from the system working with the fewest parts and no extraneous elements.
- Music and math share rhythm and pattern; game design thrives when the rhythm of rounds feels natural.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video nS5rkmbD0Gc
The Western Contingent top_10_list at 25:55 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11144 · mention_pk 32785
Click to watch at 25:55
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Nostalgic, aesthetically pleasing
- Accessible to non-gamers; strong grid/building growth feel
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Rome-inspired urban development
- Ancient city-building and growth
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- SETI, I learned it, loved it. My type of game.
- This is by the creators of Terraforming Mars, and it’s a castle defense game set within a Viking theme.
- Parks is a fantastic game.
- It's a basic worker placement, right? That's the base feel of Russian Railroads.
- I absolutely love Tissue. It’s a richly thematic game with different modules that carry the theme.
- Galactic Cruise is my number two. I am so in love with this game.
- Heat Pedal to the Metal is my number one. It’s a quick, fast card-driven race that just sings.
- In the Footsteps of Marie Curie is based upon Marie Curie's lifetime and the research she did.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video JklQ45DsH2k
The Broken Meeple kickstarter_roundup_and_analysis at 35:30 sentiment: negative
video_pk 9969 · mention_pk 29359
Click to watch at 35:30
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
- Rich content and components when fully expanded; visually impressive in some versions
Cons
- Very high price; potential complexity and duration; clarity issues around per-player time scaling
Thematic elements
- urban development and monument construction
- ancient Rome city-building
- city-building with drafting and grid-like layout
Comparison games
- Gloomhaven
- other city-building drafting titles
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- card drafting — Drafting cards to acquire actions and build on a grid-based city.
- grid-based city building — Placement and development of buildings for income and scoring.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is basically a fantasy war game for one to six players featuring six different races each with their own powers
- three hundred dollars for this it's ridiculous
- it's not cheap
- this is insane
- dinosaurs are cool
- it's basically pandemic vibe with the dice game
- it's a Mario Kart–style racing game that just had cards and wacky abilities
- beige dungeon crawler you do not want beige to be a name associated with your dungeon crawler
- amygdala i think is how you pronounce this this is uh was it game brewer
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video WaxuBKIsOdQ
Rolls in the Family top_40_list at 36:20 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9376 · mention_pk 27619
Click to watch at 36:20
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Elegant, tight decisions with impactful overbuilding rules
- Strong visual presentation and modular maps
Cons
- New players may need help understanding interactions
- Deluxe components can be pricey
Thematic elements
- urban development and land value
- Ancient Rome building foundation and expansion
- historical-feel with modern design
Comparison games
- Cartographers
- Pax Pamir
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area-control — gaining influence by adjacent buildings and placement
- Overbuilding — build over existing structures to gain more value or victory points
- tile-placement — placing building tiles to shape the city grid
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- for the fans so yeah drop brain down below
- these links do help support the channel and we appreciate that
- it's a big epic experience and there's no other game you can schedule a day with six people to have this shared epic moment
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video aTE62rSbHk4
Roll in the Family top_3_list at 43:44 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9136 · mention_pk 26952
Click to watch at 43:44
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- gorgeous production and storage solutions; giant grid and unique minis
- tight, accessible, rules-light feel for a heavy-weight game
- highly interactive; strong player competition on shared board
Cons
- very expensive; large footprint; difficult to transport
- requires space and time; not ideal for casual gamers
Thematic elements
- urban planning with monuments and civic scoring
- ancient Rome city-building on a grand grid
- epic, highly thematic
Comparison games
- Ticket to Ride
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection (three options) — Choose among three actions per turn to advance your city and build plots.
- deck-like market & scoring — Deeds market flows as players buy, slide down, and influence placement opportunities.
- monuments / monuments module — Monuments provide unique scoring and large thematic variety when included as monuments.
- overbuilding and upgrade rules — Only build larger than replacements; strategic upgrading shifts scoring and positioning.
- tile/deed placement and upgrading — Acquire deeds and place or replace buildings to improve score potential.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's a gateway game but man every single time I play it it is just it is working the juices
- beautifully balances really simple mechanics with a lot of depth in thinking
- two puzzles on top of each other
- I love games that have little goals you know throughout the game
- presentation is just beautiful to see this giant grid build up with the city
- absolute hit
- Terraforming Mars experience and just the entire game from start to finish is riveting
- it's a big box with giant minis and a huge table presence
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video xyNZf950VAk
Board Game Spotlight playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8799 · mention_pk 25948
Click to watch at 0:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging drafting and spatial placement decisions
- Appealing physical components and table presence
- Tight pacing in a two-player game with meaningful decisions
Cons
- Outcome partially depends on timing of card draw and market availability
- Learning curve for new players due to multiple scoring rules
Thematic elements
- Urban growth through plot drafting and building placement
- Ancient Rome, city-building on a stylized 7x7 grid
- Array
Comparison games
- Return to Dark Tower
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Coin economy and Romulus actions — Coins are spent to acquire plots or influence scoring; Romulus provides funds
- drafting — Choose from a set of available plots to influence early board placement
- placement — Place plots and buildings on a grid to shape district formation
- Scoring by population — Population track, bonuses for leading, and municipal buildings affect final score
- Upgrading structures — Upgrade or replace buildings to increase scoring potential
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- We are collectively going to build the city of Rome
- this is a reactionary game, you're watching what your opponent does
- it's a two-player game and the turns fly by
- the game is more about timing than luck
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video LuR5ZWCPpxk
Board Game Coffee general_discussion at 5:23 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8511 · mention_pk 25081
Click to watch at 5:23
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Highly praised by industry figures
- Beautiful miniatures with detailed painting
- Easy to learn despite complexity in appearance
- Great looking game with impressive production quality
Cons
- Complex rulebook
Thematic elements
- Building and development
- Ancient Rome
- Constructive gameplay
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Drop and Build — Players drop building miniatures to construct foundations of Rome
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's getting our board game coffee seal of approval that's how good
- baby's first deck builder it's super simple and then it gets gradually harder
- King of New York I find personally is the better version
- Aquatica from Arcane wonders is a fabulous game
- foundations of Rome is one of my like favorite games of the year
- we just need a name for it
- thanks for joining us if you like this video and you want to see more subscribe to our channel
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video h9fUWDqdN-0
Rolls in the Family top_10_list at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8354 · mention_pk 24594
Click to watch at 0:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- accessible for new players
- great setup efficiency for a large box game
Cons
- box size may be intimidating
Thematic elements
- urban development and civilization management
- ancient Rome city-building with modular expansions
- massive components with accessible core mechanisms
Comparison games
- Lorenzo Magnifico
- Terra Mystica series
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- large-box setup with trays — efficient setup with color-coded trays and organized components
- resource management / building — players draft and place buildings, manage resources
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "it's a sandbox of fun"
- "the rules are very, very simple"
- "playing the long game"
- "this is one of the best co-op games"
- "the setup time for the size of the box is one of the best ratios"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video A8g_J9GdDgQ
The Western Contingent general_discussion at 13:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8079 · mention_pk 23767
Click to watch at 13:50
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- visual appeal on the table
- intuitive and quick to teach
- lots of modular depth
Cons
- base game can feel light without modules
Thematic elements
- Building a city with cards/tiles and modular expansions
- Ancient Rome city-building
- History-inspired city-building
Comparison games
- Foundations of Metropolis
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- grid-based real estate — Players place buildings on a dense grid.
- Modular expansion — Modules such as personal goals, monuments, and various mechanisms add depth.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- tournaments is a whole other different sort of genre.
- Foundations of Rome on my top 10 games that I'm going to be playing in 10 years.
- I want to kind of push back against that whole trap that you can get stuck in about always only ever playing new stuff.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video dmuBO5HRHn0
Rolls in the Family analysis at 19:23 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7187 · mention_pk 21272
Click to watch at 19:23
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Tense endgame scoring
- Tightly balanced competition among players
Cons
- Messy endgame scoring to track
- Rule book complexity can be intimidating
Thematic elements
- City-building and resource management under competing interests
- Ancient Rome, urban development and policy
- Euro-style, high interaction scoring across categories
Comparison games
- Terraforming Mars
- Gaia Project
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- End-game scoring with multiple categories — Scores come from several categories that accumulate differently
- Worker/area action choices — Players perform actions via worker-like tokens to develop districts
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the final score in this particular game was 180 to zero
- every single person at the table is having a blast right now
- best play of the year goes to age of innovation
- one of my favorite heavy games and a highlight of six-player play
- this board game is incredible
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video PySjjnkjfWM
Dice Tower general_discussion at 1:12 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6507 · mention_pk 19288
Click to watch at 1:12
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Most checked out despite large size
- Tom's favorite on third shelf
- Fantastic game
Cons
- Large physical footprint
Thematic elements
- City building and civilization
- Ancient Rome
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is easily on this shelf. The most checked out game. Wonderlands War I see played every time.
- Foundations of Rome despite how big this game is. It gets checked out all the time.
- Everyone's really upset with Grimlord Games cuz they never delivered their last Kickstarter, but another company has picked it up.
- I don't I still don't understand why companies can't put names on the sides of their boxes. Come on now.
- Frostpunk, the board game if you're ready to have a depressing day.
- I think Mosaic is a fantastic civilization game. So fast and easy to play.
- People love Smashup. I have almost everything for Smashup, but it just barely gets played.
- Probably Twilight Imperium is my favorite of all these here, even though I don't play it that much.
- Last Kingdom is a kind of a really fun game from Games based on said TV series. Uh but pretty good. Think Game of Thrones style.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Rxwzq1p8nyo
Rolls in the Family top_3_list at 7:41 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6410 · mention_pk 18978
Click to watch at 7:41
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- clear core loop with approachable rhythm
- flexible with modules like Monuments
Cons
- large footprint and table space required
- production scale may deter some buyers
Thematic elements
- urban development and monumental construction
- Ancient Rome city-building on a grid
- historical-themed
Comparison games
- Ticket to Ride
- Foundations Metropolis
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- income and adjacency scoring — End-of-era population affects scoring, with adjacency bonuses.
- overbuilding and relocation — You can remove buildings to place larger ones under size adjacency rules.
- three-action system — Choose among claiming deeds, building structures, or taking income.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's fast to teach
- the simultaneous play creates a great energy at the table
- Ticket to Ride is a gateway game
- organic storytelling moments come out of Obsession
- Splendor is tense, it's a race and every move counts
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video wNH4S2bt8sc
The Dice Tower general_discussion at 1:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5952 · mention_pk 17635
Click to watch at 1:16
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- solid gameplay loop
- expansion options (monuments, trade) add depth
- revisited and enjoyable
Cons
- large footprint / large components
- potentially expensive with expansions
Thematic elements
- city-building and trade
- Urban development in ancient Rome with land plots and monuments
- Eurogame
Comparison games
- Foundations of Metropolis
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- area_control — auction/bid to acquire plots and influence area control
- building_and_land_development — construct buildings on plots
- expansion_modules — monuments expansion and trade expansion
- trading/commerce — trade, selling, bartering along the river
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- my favorite game I played today was Michall Regrets.
- This is the big plastic miniatures version of Foundations of Metropolis.
- this really buttery smooth area control area majority card game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 0PCivhXQ2Vo
Board Gameco top_100_list at 8:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5960 · mention_pk 17670
Click to watch at 8:16
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- clean, competitive, accessible to teach
Cons
- base box expensive; expansions affect value
Thematic elements
- bidding and development with monuments
- city-building empire with polyomino influence
- clear, cutthroat strategy
Comparison games
- Foundations of Metropolis
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Area Control — placing lots and managing scoring zones
- bidding — auction-like decision on lots
- monuments expansion — modular rules to tweak scoring and actions
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Detective Club is going to be one where you have these different cards that are all different kinds of images that are really beautiful and very unique
- it's a clever timeline; accessible and easy to explain to anyone
- the expansion really elevates the gameplay on Aquatica
- it's the best slaughter game and it's very deep, but accessible
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 1du26wfPm4k
Going Analog interview at 8:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3405 · mention_pk 10063
Click to watch at 8:30
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- epic scale and thematic feel
- mechanical depth with multiple paths to scoring
Cons
- heavy rules complexity and longer playtime
Thematic elements
- large-scale urban planning, economy, and infrastructure
- ancient Rome city-building with ambitious zoning and growth
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice drafting / zone sequencing — Players draft dice resources and place them to develop districts and zones across a Roman metropolis.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we're not here to make friends we're here to break people
- one of the biggest personalities in a board game space
- it's a good investment
- the idea and it's it's mostly illegal now I believe
- this version is a ton of fun
- the table presence is terrific
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video mBjw0y1P35I
Beyond Solitaire interview at 27:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2946 · mention_pk 8601
Click to watch at 27:30
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- easy entry for a regular gaming session
- works well as a bridge game for language/history topics
Cons
- not a deep historical simulation; limited in scope
Thematic elements
- development of a Roman city-state and governance
- Ancient Rome society and city-building context
- short-session, approachable for weekly gaming
Comparison games
- Republic of Rome
- Trojan War Role-Immersion Game
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- city-building — tile/resource management to build a Roman city and meet goals
- short session design — intended for quick play and frequent discussion
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the students decide what they want to do and I throw events at them
- role immersion incorporates all of those different variations and I don't find one version like better or anything like that
- it's not perfectly balanced
- just jump in and get started
- get your foot in the door
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Ok7Fjx29an8
Beyond Solitaire top_50_list at 18:53 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 2736 · mention_pk 8039
Click to watch at 18:53
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Gloomhaven will not be removed from number one on BGG it's just not possible.
- Frost Haven tweaks a few things but the stuff that it adds is so much more involved and in depth.
- Arc Nova is meteoric rise in the top lists; it's everywhere now.
- Mage Knight is my number one favorite game of all time.
- Spirit Island is my number one cooperative game of all time.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video t9Wf2Bs6bGU
Beond top_5_list at 17:39 sentiment: positive
video_pk 842 · mention_pk 2409
Click to watch at 17:39
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- immersive ancient Rome theme
- architectural growth represented in gameplay
- tactile and educational for classrooms
Cons
- data on real ancient Rome could be contested; heavy setup
- availability of components may limit play
Thematic elements
- city-building; architecture; archaeology
- Ancient Rome urban planning and architectural expansion
- tactical city-building euro
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- grid-based city-building — build a city with a grid layout to maximize monuments.
- mechanical economy / resource management — managing finances to construct buildings.
- tile-placement — placing foundations to form districts like Forum and Colosseum.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this game puts me right into the Palace of Ivor every time I play it
- I'm going to Portugal with my parents this summer and you know I had a choice between getting a Lonely Planet guide or picking up Alhambra, and I really just felt like Alhambra was better prep
- Foundations of Rome truly an incredible representation of architectural growth in a major ancient city
- I am history or nothing if it's not historically immersive it's not on my shelf
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–20 of 20