Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 120 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 4.2 / 5
- Year
- 2006
About the game
Through the Ages is a deep civilization-building game where players guide a nation from antiquity to the modern age. Through careful resource management, technology research, leader elections, and wonder construction, you'll build an empire strong enough to outlast your rivals both economically and militarily. Neglecting your military leaves you vulnerable to aggressive opponents, while overinvesting in it can drain your resources. Victory goes to the civilization with the most culture at the end of the modern age.
Hobbli's Notes
Through the Ages is often held up as one of the best civilization-building card games ever made, thanks to its elegant card-drafting economy and constant tension between military and civilian development. It's demanding, both in complexity and playtime, but the depth of strategic decision-making is virtually unmatched in the genre. This is a serious gamer's game, best enjoyed by a table that relishes long, thoughtful sessions.
What we like
- Extremely deep strategic decisions across military, science, and culture.
- Card drafting economy rewards long-term planning.
- No map means conflict is purely resource-based, reducing randomness.
- High replayability from varied civilizations and strategies.
Keep in mind
- Very long playtime and high complexity limit its audience.
- Steep learning curve intimidates newcomers.
- Analysis paralysis can slow down turns significantly.
Who it's for
Best for dedicated strategy gamers aged 14+ who enjoy deep civilization-building over a long session, in groups of 2-4.
