Page 49 - Spielbox_2_2020

a resource if that player is unable to block your attack with a sufficient number of shields. Some- one not able or willing to part with anything, loses points instead.
The game ends when a set number of building types (which depends on the number of players)
have run out. During final scoring, buildings are worth points not only for their mere exis- tence, but some also generate bonuses. The cathedral, for example, scores one point for
each of your dice. Extra culture points are also assessed, and the larg- est city area enclosed by walls and towers is worth a ten-point bonus. The steps that
you had to move your
disaster peg are then deducted.
If you can live with colorful plastic houses, totally unfitting to the era they
be true, but the fact is that you’ll probably have to dig deep into your pocket for this game, anyway. The first expansion arrives in the fall with new buildings, streets, archways and rivers – which of course can also cause floods. The new bits will be gradually introduced through four scenarios.
- Medieval Age definitely does not belong in the recycle bin, it is far from certain that it will become a long-running classic with an infinite number of extensions and goodies. The versions of Roll through the Ages did not last too long on the market before they were finally sold off at reduced prices. Edwin Ruschitzka/sb
Even if E
a -
Er
ra
r
a
possible. Even though they cost three times as many stones as the walls do, they at least add a die to your stock and are worth a victory point.
I Cultural surplus
scores points
The gray tower dice provides for the
second interactive element of the game (besides the opportunity to cheer for disasters to befall other players). There are plenty of sword (and shield) symbols on gray dice. If you rolled more swords than an opponent, you can get a lot of
Er
Title: Publisher: Designer: Artist:
Players: Age: Duration: Price:
Reviewer
Era - Medieval Age eggertspiele
Matt Leacock
Chris Quilliams, Danik Renaud, Stéphane Vachon, Maryse Hébert-Femire
1–4
about 10+ years about 60 minutes about 50 €
Playing appeal
represent, you will certainly pull out E
a-
- Medieval Age frequently, especially since it works well no matter the player count. Except when you play solo, it is annoying, however, is that you have to roll your dice
ra
r
a
b
Edwin Ruschitzka . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
. 6 7 8 6 8 . 6 . 6
be
eh
hi
in
nd
d a
a s
sc
cr
re
ee
en
n.
. T
Th
he
e m
e cover itself is great because it explains the functions of the buildings and describes the disasters in short hand form, making it barely necessary to look things up the twelve-page rulebook. But because everyone rolls in secret, the door
is open a bit for cheaters.
It is also a nuisance that plas- tic stickers have to be attached to the player boards (using a steady hand), so that the sym- bols can be reasonably identi- fied by the resource and disas- ter rows. Couldn’t the publisher have printed this directly? Yes, says editor André Bierth, but the whole thing would have become even more expensive. That may
Udo Bartsch. . . . . . . . . L. U. Dikus* . . . . . . . . . Matthias Hardel**. . . Wieland Herold . . . . . . Alan How. . . . . . . . . . . Gerald Rüscher . . . . . . Holger Traczinski***
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . ........ . . . . . . .. . . ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .
me
em
mo
or
ry
y a
ai
id
d o
on
n t
th
he
* Detailed, functional components. Can be learned and played quickly. Hidden dice are a source of temptation and unnoticed errors.
** In comparison to the rather crude materials of the original, the contrast could hardly be greater. Due to the har- moniously introduced new elements, the game has not become better, just differ- ent. Despite the material effort which
is bordering the obscene, it’s fun to see your settlement grow in 3D against all odds.
*** A gussied up version of Roll Through The Ages. Significantly bulkier and less elegant than its predecessors.
47
spielbox