The Ancient World (Second Edition)

The Ancient World (Second Edition) is a visually stunning game that immediately draws you in with its beautiful artwork. The theme of building a city-state while battling giant titans is captivating, and the game's components truly bring the world to life. The board is gorgeous, the cards are high quality with a linen finish, and the plastic ambrosia components are unique and well-designed.

Gameplay-wise, The Ancient World is a worker placement and engine-building game with a twist: titans. You manage your city-state, collecting resources and building structures, but you must also contend with these terrifying creatures who threaten your progress. The titan combat is a fun and engaging element that adds a layer of strategy and tension to the game.

I found the worker placement mechanic to be interesting, with the numbered workers adding a layer of interaction as you try to outmaneuver your opponents. The game is optimized for all player counts, and I enjoyed the pressure of competing for resources and actions, especially at higher player counts.

However, the game does suffer from a lack of player interaction. While there are some ways to hinder your opponents, most of the game is focused on your own individual city-state. I also wish the titans were more impactful in their attacks. They often feel like a minor inconvenience rather than a truly devastating threat.

Overall, The Ancient World is a beautiful and fun game with a unique blend of worker placement, engine building, and titan combat. It's a great choice for players who enjoy those mechanics and appreciate a visually appealing game. However, if you're looking for a game with lots of direct player interaction, this might not be the best choice.