Antike

I have not rated this item because it is not easy to rate. Some folks have had a wonderful experience playing this game - others just the opposite. And I can see the point of view of both camps because during the times it has been on our games table we've experienced the high of the former and the low of the latter!

And it all seems to be down to the number of Character Cards (which stay the same number irrespective of player numbers) viz a viz the number of players. This means that the more players there are the greater the shortage and it is the acquisition of these cards that is needed to win the game. So with 6 players, for example, the end game can descend into a seemingly endless slog between the leading players.

This is a pity because we have found it to be a ssuperb game. By the same token, players who sat through this slog vowed never to play the game again! Personally I put it down to lack of proper play-testing with 5/6 players. My recommendation is that with 5/6 players (and should you experience this problem) you try increasing the number of Kings, Generals, and Citizen cards. There's no need to make anything special. In fact ordinary playing cards could be tucked under each player's holding of the cards that come with the game. This will indicate which type of personality they are intended to represent. ('Scholars' are limited by the game system and there's no need to increase the number of 'Navigator' cards because with 5/6 players it is highly unlikely you will need the 5 that come with the game, which is part of the problem)

Derek Carver