Immortal events enchanted in the game elements
The game components are packed in a medium-sized box. We get instructions from the game developers, the main board, 5 plastic spaceships, 60 turret discs (12 in each of the 5 colors of the building), 49 dice (4 white speaker dice – their faces have the following values: 2, 2, 3, 3, 4 , 5 and 9 citizen dice in each of the 5 building colors), 24 plastic stands (6 in each of the 4 player colors), 4 plastic archon figures (1 in each of the 4 player colors), 20 player discs (5 in each of the 4 player colors). each of the 4 player colors – 3 zodiac discs, 1 military strength disc, 1 victory point disc), 4 player boards, 75 building tiles (15 in each of the 5 building colors with forms on the backs), 4 agora tiles, 4 tiles palace, 12 zodiac tokens, 5 bonus action tokens, 20 advantage tokens, first player token,
Difficult beginnings
The manual has been divided into four clear, colored sections: main text, special notes – the most important rules that could be overlooked are described on a blue background, explanations – the gray background shows an extension or explanation of the content written directly above, these fragments contain details of the rules and written examples on a purple background.
To start the game, place the main board in the center of the table, then check that the resources and markers are in the box (this “order” allows you to play freely). Bonus action tokens are placed randomly at the meeting places, then one ship is placed nearby (setting the appropriate ship value is to turn it so that the arrow on the board points to the target value). Shuffle all zodiac cards and place one randomly face up above each temple track, divide the building tiles into five piles depending on the color, take one citizen dice of each color and roll them, rerolling all “6” until the die values are will be in the range 1-5. We also shuffle the district cards, which each player then draws. Participants also receive 1 unused tower disc of each color, a player’s board and all associated bases, discs and an archon figure of the selected color, a reference card, 1 resource of each type (1 gold, 1 stone, 1 food, 1 wisdom), 1 tile agora and 1 palace tile. In the final part of the preparations, the players place the game pieces in front of them, choose the first player (to receive the marker), and roll the citizen dice of each color.
Starting with the first player clockwise, each player takes one citizen die of his choice. Complicated? Fortunately, all aspects of the game are described in detail in the manual, which is less than 30 pages long. I assure you that it is enough to concentrate on the rules during the first game and then you will be intuitive. Origins. The First Builders is an extensive and multi-dimensional board game, but you will undoubtedly have no time to get bored while having fun together.
During the game
Origins. The First Builders go through a series of rounds. Ends when one of the end-of-game conditions is met – the player has reached the top spaces of the track in all three temples with his discs, there will be no more gold above any district card, there are three or fewer tower disc colors left in the pool, or no citizen dice in the reserve in a color with which to replenish the dice in the pool.
Each turn, players perform one of the following options: send their worker to the meeting point, trying to have a value of at least equal to that of the spaceship to: gather resources, climb the steps of zodiac sign temples, and use their powerful abilities. increase your military strength, gain gold or acquire new workers. And if the worker is of the same color as the bonus action token, we can gain even more!
It should be emphasized that Origins. The First Buildersis primarily a strategic game, the goals of which are clearly defined. The expansion of cities is associated with efficient manpower management and the search for various combinations, which, after mastering the rules, generates a really fantastic gameplay. However, do not count on a stroke of luck, you must consistently plan, combine and implement assumptions to achieve success. However, what is important and worth emphasizing, probably not everyone will like the way in which the selected elements are presented graphically. Some are really small and look very similar to each other when placed on the board. Plastic wheels have their values, building tiles – inscriptions, and we are not necessarily able to see them while sitting around the board in not necessarily strong light. Take this into account when planning your venue.
Board and Dice
Adam Kwapiński is the author of an unusual, unpredictable and immensely addictive game, although it should not be forgotten that there are many mothers and fathers of success. In the author’s study, they were supported by, among others Andrei Novac, Błażej Kubacki, Dávid Turczi, Małgorzata Mitura, Rainer Ǻhlford, also Aleksander Zawada, Zbigniew Umgelter (illustrations and graphic design), Agnieszka Kopera, Błażej Kubacki, Emanuela and Robert Pratt (instruction), Monika Żabicka (translation). The Rebel team is responsible for editing the Polish language version, while the Wrocław Board and Dice is the producer.
Origins. First Builders is a game for 1-4 people (solo mode, training, I recommend it!), The duration of which is estimated at 60-120 minutes. Due to the small elements of the game, the authors indicate that participants should be at least 14 years old. The reviewed game is an extensive euro, which partially manages to introduce us to the atmosphere of building a city. Why partially? During the game, you will notice that the key task of the player is to develop civilization and build, build and build again … in fact, no matter what and for what. There are also aliens who influence our actions … The gameplay can be addictive and varied depending on the composition of the players. The mechanics are interesting, playing with cubes is interesting, and the spirit of competition is still alive!
