Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery

I've been meaning to try Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery for a while now. I love the Age of Empires video game series and figured a board game adaptation would be a blast. While it's not a direct translation of the video game, it definitely captures the same spirit of exploration, colonization, and competition.

The game is quite complex, and the initial setup can be a bit overwhelming. It took me and my family almost an hour to get everything sorted and ready to play, and the rulebook can be a bit tricky to decipher. That said, once we actually started playing, the game really clicked. There are so many different paths to victory, and the strategies you can employ are endlessly varied.

One of the things I love most about the game is that it encourages interaction between players. You're constantly vying for resources, trading with your neighbors, and potentially even engaging in warfare. This makes for some truly engaging gameplay, especially with a group of friends.

I also appreciate that the game has a clear end point. After eight rounds, the game is over, and the player with the most victory points wins. This keeps things from dragging on and ensures that every game has a satisfying conclusion.

Overall, Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery is a fantastic board game that offers a ton of replayability. It's definitely not for the faint of heart, as it can be quite complex, but for those who enjoy strategy games with a historical setting, it's a must-try. Just be prepared to spend some time learning the rules and setting up the game. The rewards are well worth the effort.