Antike II
- Players
- 3-6
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 5 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 120 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 13+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.9 / 5
- Year
- 2014
About the game
Antike II is a civilization-building strategy game where ancient nations expand through cities, temples, fleets, and legions, all governed by designer Mac Gerdts's signature rondel action-selection system. Players compete to recruit ancient personalities, kings, scholars, generals, and navigators, with the first to collect enough of them (based on player count) claiming victory. Two double-sided game boards offer different scenarios, and thoughtful design choices reduce reliance on dice while emphasizing planning and diplomacy. City tokens let players control which resources their new settlements produce, and simplified conquest rules make city capture more accessible than in the original Antike. It's a substantial, skill-driven civilization game for larger groups.
Hobbli's Notes
We appreciate how Antike II leans on Mac Gerdts's elegant rondel system to keep civilization-building focused on planning rather than luck. Supporting up to six players is a real strength, though it does come with a hefty downtime cost between turns. The refined conquest rules make military action more approachable than the original Antike while still preserving genuine strategic tension. A rewarding but demanding choice for larger groups who love ancient civilization strategy games.
What we like
- Elegant rondel system keeps civilization-building focused on planning.
- Supports up to six players, making it great for large strategy groups.
- Simplified conquest rules improve on the original Antike's complexity.
- Two double-sided boards add scenario variety.
Keep in mind
- High downtime between turns, especially at higher player counts.
- Long 120-minute playtime demands a dedicated evening.
- Steep rules overhead for newer strategy gamers.
Who it's for
Best for dedicated strategy gamers aged 13+ who enjoy civilization and rondel-based games, ideally with a large table of 5-6 players who don't mind long downtime.
