Monday, November 07, 2005
Settlers, Historische Szenarien #2
Got to play a new game this weekend. At least it was new to me. Played Settlers Historical Scenario #2, The Great Wall. The jury is still out, but I didn't care for it as much as other variations. It was leaps and bounds better than Cities and Knights, but far short of the original Settlers, Settlers of Canaan, and both Historical Scenario #1 variations.
There are two variations included with the expansion, The Great Wall and Trojan War. The board has one map on each side, and different components are included for each scenario. The base game of Settlers is required to play. Both variations are only recommended for 4 or 6 players, so (it should go without saying) you will also need the 5-6 player expansion for the original game if you want to play with 6 players.
As far as gameplay was concerned, I didn't like the fact that the board was so crowded. Take that with a grain of salt, though. I prefer 3 player Settlers to 4 player Settlers simply because the board is less crowded, and I seem to be in the minority with that particular preference. Even so, it seemed like growth options were very, very limited. Players start with 3 settlements, one of which must be placed along the Great Wall at the edge of the board. The board seemed to give a significant advantage to the player who got off to the best start, while the other players wallowed in poverty.
The game did have some interesting concepts. First, there was no robber. A pirate ship could be placed to block access to ports, instead of the usual land hexes that the robber would affect. Second, Huns were placed just north of the Great Wall every time a settlement was built or upgraded to a city. Every time a die roll matched the space on which the Huns were placed they migrated down to the Wall. If that section of the wall wasn't strong enough to hold them back the player responsible for that section of the wall earned negative victory points. Basically, if the wall was at level one it would hold back one Hun. Huns exceeding this number stormed over the wall and were placed in land hexes south of the wall rendering them useless, exactly like a robber.
Interesting version, I will have to try it again. It is not so good that I am going to wait to try the The Trojan War scenario, but I will get back to it eventually.
Note. As far as I know this expansion, as well as the first Historical Scenario, is only available in German. You will need to download English rules if you are like me and mono-lingual.
Good Gaming,
Coldfoot
There are two variations included with the expansion, The Great Wall and Trojan War. The board has one map on each side, and different components are included for each scenario. The base game of Settlers is required to play. Both variations are only recommended for 4 or 6 players, so (it should go without saying) you will also need the 5-6 player expansion for the original game if you want to play with 6 players.
As far as gameplay was concerned, I didn't like the fact that the board was so crowded. Take that with a grain of salt, though. I prefer 3 player Settlers to 4 player Settlers simply because the board is less crowded, and I seem to be in the minority with that particular preference. Even so, it seemed like growth options were very, very limited. Players start with 3 settlements, one of which must be placed along the Great Wall at the edge of the board. The board seemed to give a significant advantage to the player who got off to the best start, while the other players wallowed in poverty.
The game did have some interesting concepts. First, there was no robber. A pirate ship could be placed to block access to ports, instead of the usual land hexes that the robber would affect. Second, Huns were placed just north of the Great Wall every time a settlement was built or upgraded to a city. Every time a die roll matched the space on which the Huns were placed they migrated down to the Wall. If that section of the wall wasn't strong enough to hold them back the player responsible for that section of the wall earned negative victory points. Basically, if the wall was at level one it would hold back one Hun. Huns exceeding this number stormed over the wall and were placed in land hexes south of the wall rendering them useless, exactly like a robber.
Interesting version, I will have to try it again. It is not so good that I am going to wait to try the The Trojan War scenario, but I will get back to it eventually.
Note. As far as I know this expansion, as well as the first Historical Scenario, is only available in German. You will need to download English rules if you are like me and mono-lingual.
Good Gaming,
Coldfoot
# posted by Coldfoot @ 4:07 AM 
