You are a citizen of Atlantis – an ancient city that is
being swallowed up by the sea. Can you find a new land, explore it, discover
its resources, conquer the monsters who live there, and lead your fellow citizens
to settle there before Atlantis is gone?
In this tile-laying, card drafting, resource management game, every player has their own island board on which they create a new city with mountains, desert, forest, and lagoon terrains. Next, they can erect buildings and fight monsters that lurk in volcanoes to earn points and benefits.
Race your opponents to be the first to clear all the monsters
from your island and earn five victory points for an immediate victory!
The tools players use to earn victory points center on action
cards that they draft from a central display each turn. These cards provide two items: A terrain tile
that must be placed on their island, and one specific but optional action. These actions are: 1) produce Orichalcum, 2) recruit
hoplites, 3) capture monsters, and 4) construct buildings on terrain.
What is Orichalcum and what is its purpose? It is a valuable golden nugget, which can be used
to purchase an additional action each turn or an Orichalcum medallion, which is
worth one victory point.
Who are the blue hoplite people and what do they do? Some action cards are free to draft each
round, and some have a cost of one or two hoplites. If you really want a card that comes with a
cost, you need hoplites. In addition, hoplites give you enough strength to help
fight off larger monsters and two of them purchase one additional action on
your turn.
Capturing monsters must be done whenever possible so that
they do not overtake your efforts to place terrain tiles and build resources.
They must all be cleared before a player can declare victory, and successfully
defeating monsters also provides rewards.
Constructing buildings provides benefits and enhances
actions. Benefits might be additional hoplite or Orichalcum production. Action
enhancements might provide an extra action or reduce costs associated with
purchasing an additional action.
I enjoy playing this unique game for a few reasons. First, it does not take too much time to play. It fits nicely in a 45-minute period. It is not too complex to be a family game, but provides enough strategy for 2-4 family members and friends to enjoy together. In my opinion, it is a bit quirky, unusual, and the “race to the finish” aspect with its slow ramp-up and sometimes quick, surprise finish that lets anyone come from behind and snag victory is satisfying too! ----Marsha