ZhanGuo

ZhanGuo is a game that takes you back to the Warring States period of Chinese history, where you are an emissary of the ambitious Qin Shi Huang Di, tasked with unifying the empire. It's a card-driven game with a unique twist - you can either play cards to your personal board, boosting your influence in the empire, or to the central game board, undertaking actions like recruiting workers, building structures, and moving armies. This strategic choice adds a layer of depth and complexity to the game, as you must balance personal gain with contributing to the Emperor's goals.

The game is relatively straightforward in its mechanics, but the decisions you make can have cascading effects that make each turn feel impactful. You have to carefully consider the cards you draw, the actions you take, and the potential consequences of those actions on the empire's stability. You can't simply focus on your own advancement - you need to keep an eye on your opponents and work to maintain a balance between your own power and the general satisfaction of the people.

I've played a couple of games, and I'm really enjoying it. The theme is well-implemented, and the game is quite engaging. Some reviewers have mentioned concerns about the game's balance, and I admit I do wonder if there are some strategies that are significantly more efficient than others. However, this is just a doubt at this point, and I need to play more games to confirm. But even with that potential caveat, I still find ZhanGuo to be a fun and original game.

The components are of good quality, and the artwork is beautiful. The theme is well-represented through the artwork and the mechanics, which I appreciate. It's definitely not a game for beginners, but I would highly recommend it to experienced Eurogame players who are looking for a challenging and engaging experience.