Pyramid Review
Rome
Published by GMT Games
Designed by Reiner Knizia
Art by Rodger MacGowan
Double-sided map board, 100 cards, 15 Chariot blocks, 15 Legion blocks, 6 Fleet blocks, 6 Scoring pawns, 70 Influence markers, 1 rulebook; $39.00
Rome is a different sort of product: Three completely different strategy games with a similar theme in a single box. The games are good, the components are great, and it's a three-for-one special for strategy gamers. The individual games are "Imperium," "Circus Maximus," and "Hannibal vs. Rome." (These three games, along with a dozen others, were published as a set in Europe as Games From Ancient Rome. The GMT edition has much nicer components.)
"Imperium" is an area-influence game for two to five players; you play cards which allocate your influence to different regions, thereby scoring points. Whoever has the most points at the end of the round where someone has passed 40 points wins. This is usually after about 20 minutes, which is short and sweet for a five-player strategy game.
Each player starts with 11 cards: one for each of the eight Provinces, and three special cards. A game turn starts with each player choosing three of their cards to play that turn. Cards are revealed simultaneously, and resolved by placing Influence markers on the eight Provinces. Finally the next Province in the sequence is scored, and you're ready for another turn.
Playing one of your province cards places a marker on that Province; your province cards return to your hand, . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: February 14, 2003
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