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The Ancient World

Grow a city-state, recruit tribes and bring down titans in a worker-placement game of ancient fantasy.

Titans stomp across a forgotten ancient world, and five tribes have been running from them for centuries. In The Ancient World you lead a rising city-state that wants to end the terror and, along the way, become the biggest and most admired in the land. Your citizens go off to take special actions, one at a time, or you can spend military cards to attack a titan. One action builds Empire cards that bring more citizens, money and abilities, so your little city slowly becomes a machine. You manage people, treasury and army at once, and the titans keep the pressure on. It plays in about ninety minutes, best with four, with a bit of dice luck and plenty of tough choices.

Citizens do the work, one action at a timeEmpire cards grow your economy and powersTitans threaten and reward your army

Who it's for

You like worker-placement games with an extra layer of fighting, and want an ancient-fantasy theme with a mid-weight feel.

Not for you if…

You want a peaceful builder with zero dice. Titan fights add luck, and the economy needs attention every turn.

Vibe's take

Brisk and tactical, with a steady tug between building up and fighting back. The titans keep you honest, and the Empire cards give your city a personality.

#2,285 on BGG

of over 30,000 ranked board games

Published 2014 Β· 12 years ago

older than 67% of games

In 3,495 collections

collected more than 45% of games

2–4 players Β· ages 12+

Best with 4 Β· publisher: 13+

about 90 min

longer than 77% of games Β· typical 30–90 min

Complexity: demanding

Takes some learning Β· 2.7 out of 5 Β· heavier than 76%

Opinions: broad agreement

Most people rate it similarly

Language: little text

A few terms, easy to look up

Play style: competitive

Theme & categories