/pic236169.jpg)
/pic2663291.jpg){kind=small}
Through the Ages is a civilization building game. Each player attempts to build the best civilization through careful resource management, discovering new technologies, electing the right leaders, building wonders and maintaining a strong military. Weakness in any area can be exploited by your opponents. The game takes place throughout the ages beginning in the age of antiquity and ending in the modern age.
One of the primary mechanisms in TTA is card drafting. Technologies, wonders, and leaders come into play and become easier to draft the longer they are in play. In order to use a technology you will need enough science to discover it, enough food to create a population to man it and enough resources (ore) to build the building to use it. While balancing the resources needed to advance your technology you also need to build a military. Military is built in the same way as civilian buildings. Players that have a weak military will be preyed upon by other players. There is no map in the game so you cannot lose territory, but players with higher military will steal resources, science, kill leaders, take population or culture. It is very difficult to win with a large military, but it is very easy to lose because of a weak one.
Victory is achieved by the player whose nation has the most culture at the end of the modern age.
Part of the Through the Ages family — see Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization for the combined view.
/pic236169.jpg)
- Array
- Array
- Civilization-building, resource management, technological and cultural advancement
- Array
- Civilization development from Antiquity through multiple ages; historical figures like Alexander the Great and Aristotle appear in the age decks
- Array
- Array
- Array
- mixed
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- it's basically a board game version of sid meier's xbox game
- it's a hard game to teach new players but there is a basic version of the game which makes it a little easier
- the production quality is great the rulebook is amazing
- I love the future events cards I love the way the whole game is presented
- this game can go up to five hours long
- it's gonna give you hours of play
- this game is a lot more strategic than it is fun
- I'm giving it an 8.5 on 10
References (from this video)
- widely regarded as a cornerstone civilization-building game
- deep strategic planning with multiple viable paths
- heavy on rules and duration
- ramp-up time can be long for new players
- civilization development and governance
- civilization-building across historical ages
- strategic civilization-building with evolving tech/agency
- Pillars of the Earth
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card Drafting — players draft cards to build their civilizations' capabilities
- long-term planning — focus on long-term development of civilization milestones
- Resource Management — players balance values such as food, resources, and contributions
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- This is definitive. It is not just our opinions, okay? This is now this is it.
- We will debate in a healthy manner to whittle down and come to our shared agreement of our top 10.
- Pillars of the Earth is out of print and yet I know all about it.
- Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization. Boom. Mutual pick. Instant classic.
- Niroshima Hex has had three different iterations of it.
- On the Underground was made and then reprinted again as On the Underground.
- Battle Lore is fully on my list. This absolutely, I think, should be a classic from 2006.
- This has to be on the list.
- Mass market darling Bananagrams.
References (from this video)
- It was a significant game during its release time.
- It was one of the first big legacy games.
- May have missed the opportune time to play it.
- Civilization
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- The scoring in The Princess of Florence is really unique and it's one of the main draws for me.
- Pax Pamir is just such a masterclass in creating a really tense and dynamic political game.
- Catacombs is such a fun dexterity game. The flicking mechanic is just so satisfying.
- Root is a prime example of an asymmetric game done right. Every faction feels so different.
References (from this video)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Pandemic Legacy Season 1 is amazing
- Through the Ages… I am a huge fan of this game
- this persistent story line with some tiny little Legacy elements… it has This brilliant combat mechanic
- I would love to see more content come out for this one
- I really like this game and would probably play it again
References (from this video)
- Overly busy and messy
- Too many colors
- Images of famous historical figures (Queen Elizabeth, Einstein) make it look like history book
- Feels educational rather than game-like
- Too busy composition
- Civilization building
- World history
- Historical
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card-driven strategy — Civilization building through history
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- The box cover makes a promise to the customer
- Every box cover tells me what I'm going to be doing and how I'm going to be feeling
- This artist is one of the best board game artists working in the industry right now
- This is how you do it
- This cover is a mess
- Striking iconic design
- The box cover is not selling the game