Helios

Helios is a fascinating game that centers around the power of the sun god AHAU. You'll take on the role of a high priest, striving to build temples, expand your city, and ultimately, make your civilization flourish. The game's core mechanic revolves around the acquisition and management of resources, with the ever-increasing cost of temple construction adding a layer of strategic challenge.

I found the gameplay to be engaging and the game itself to be well-designed. The limited resources and escalating costs force you to make tough decisions, while the various actions and scoring opportunities keep things interesting. However, I agree with some of the reviewers who found the game to be a bit on the lighter side in terms of theme and depth. While the game does a good job of capturing the essence of a civilization's growth, I felt it could have gone further in incorporating more thematic elements.

One of the reviewers mentioned that the game often feels like a race to grab the most points, and I can see that sentiment. However, I also found it to be a good thing. It encourages you to be aggressive and constantly evaluate your options. I did find the game to be quite streamlined, though, and I think it would benefit from a little more complexity. Perhaps a bit more interaction between players or a deeper exploration of the thematic elements.

Overall, Helios is a solid game with a unique concept and a decent level of strategic depth. While I'm not sure if it's a game I'll play frequently, I enjoyed my time with it and recommend it to those who enjoy engine-building games with a focus on resource management.