Septima

Septima is a game that I was really looking forward to playing. The theme of witches and magic is always intriguing, and the promise of a strategy game with a focus on resource management and coven building was very appealing. The art style is also beautiful, with hand-drawn illustrations that perfectly capture the gothic atmosphere of the game.

However, I must admit that my experience with Septima was a bit mixed. While the game has some strong points, it also has some significant drawbacks that prevented it from truly capturing my attention.

One of the biggest issues I had with Septima is its complexity. The rulebook is indeed 40 pages long and the game has a lot of moving parts. It took a significant amount of time to learn all the rules and I found myself constantly having to refer back to the rulebook during my first few plays. This made the game feel clunky and not very enjoyable, especially for casual gamers or those new to complex board games.

I also agree with other reviewers who mention that the game can be quite slow-paced. The gameplay involves a lot of resource collection and planning, and the turns can feel a bit repetitive. While it's nice to have a game with a lot of strategic depth, it's important to strike a balance between complexity and accessibility. I think Septima falls short in that regard.

However, I do want to acknowledge that Septima does have some positive aspects. The simultaneous action selection mechanic is a nice touch, and it creates a lot of interesting interactions between players. The concept of building a coven and recruiting witches is also unique and engaging.

Ultimately, I'm not sure if I would recommend Septima to everyone. It's a game that requires a lot of patience and dedication to learn and master. If you're a seasoned gamer who enjoys complex strategy games with a lot of depth, then you might find Septima to be a rewarding experience. However, if you're looking for something more accessible and quick to learn, I would suggest looking elsewhere.