Through the Ages – Explanation

Objective of the Game

The goal of "Through the Ages" is to build a flourishing civilization that progresses through different historic eras. Players must develop their civilization by building resources, advancing in technology, strengthening military power, and increasing cultural influence.

Game Components

• A game board that provides the card layout.
• A civilization board for each player.
• Card decks for different ages (Antiquity, Middle Ages, Modern Age, Contemporary Era).
• Resource tokens: food, raw materials, and science.
• Culture and military markers.
• Pieces for workers and military units.

Setup

1. Place the main game board in the center of the table accessible to all players.
2. Each player receives a civilization board.
3. Distribute resources and markers to the players.
4. Shuffle the card decks for the respective ages and place them in a row on the board.
5. Each player draws initial cards and sets up their base resources.
6. Determine the starting player.

Gameplay

The game is played in rounds, each round divided into the following phases:

1. Political Phase (optional): If a player chooses this phase, they can initiate events or claim colonies.
2. Civil Phase: Players can take cards from the card display, build structures, research technologies, or change their form of government.
3. Military Phase: Players can train military units and enhance their army.
4. End of Turn: Production of resources and culture based on developed buildings and technologies.

A sophisticated aspect of the game is the balancing of resource management. Players must constantly decide which technologies are most crucial, which buildings offer the best returns, and when it makes sense to invest in the military.

Special Rules and Strategies

• Chain Action Rule: To shorten the time frame, multiple actions can be combined in later gameplay.
• Government Revolution: There are various government systems, each providing different benefits but also costs.
• Era Transition: After the end of an age, certain outdated units or technologies become obsolete, forcing further development.

The key strategy is in the perfect balance between colonization, technological advancement, and military pressure. The ability to react flexibly and adapt to developments is crucial for victory.

End of the Game

The game ends when all cards from the contemporary card deck are drawn. Players then count their culture points to determine the winner.

Overall, "Through the Ages" is considered a challenging but highly rewarding game that rewards strategic thinking and forward planning.