The Great Zimbabwe

The Great Zimbabwe

2012
Strategy
4.31 out of 5
8+ people loved this game
Mechanics
Tile Placement
Complexity
Heavy
Duration
90 - 150 minutes
Number of players
2 - 5 players
Minimum age
14+ years

The Great Zimbabwe review

I recently got my hands on "The Great Zimbabwe", a game about building a trade-based civilization in ancient Africa. The theme is really intriguing, and the game itself is a lot of fun. It's a clever mix of resource management, logistics, and economic development, all wrapped up in a compelling narrative that draws you in.

As a player, you take on the role of a tribal leader, trying to please the gods by building impressive monuments. Each of the twelve gods in the game offers unique blessings, but they require different levels of work to win. You have to carefully balance your actions, building craftsmen, gathering resources, and developing your economy to ensure your chosen god's monument grows high.

The game has a great sense of tension, as players race to build their monuments while simultaneously trying to manage their resources and develop their economies. One of the things I really like is the way the game encourages strategic thinking, especially regarding the turn-order manipulation. You have to be smart with your one action per turn, constantly weighing your options and reacting to the decisions of your opponents.

I've only played it a few times, but I'm already hooked. The replayability is high thanks to the different gods, the intricate decisions you need to make, and the constantly evolving board state. If you enjoy games with a strong emphasis on strategy, logistics, and resource management, I highly recommend checking out "The Great Zimbabwe".