I love Pandemic (4 Stars), and Factory Fun (5 Stars).When I saw a cooperative game from Z-Man Games, I decided to buy it speculatively.
Well, its a huge disappointment. The rule book is poorly written, vague, with several typographical errors and several misspellings. If the rules were better set out, the rest would be a minimal problem, I'm not a grammar Nazi by any means.
So, we took several efforts at playing the games, several of which were invalidated because of a difficulties interpreting the rules. After playing it, the pace of the game is too difficult and the actual play is dry.
I think this game is an attempt to bridge over to more successful Euro-games like Settlers of Catan (based on the resources and the "pirate ship" attacking), or Carcassone (based on the use of followers and allocation of them for performing tasks) and Z-Man was more focused on making the Euro game, with glass beads, wooden cubes, wooden man-pieces, etc. than making a good, playable game.
The map board is comprised of 37 sections, which includes a center hexagon and 6 arms of six pieces each (The overall shape is an asterisk...or a six-armed starfish), which represent resource production, resource conversion, getting relatively worthless knowledge cards and acquiring new people to allocate to get more work done. to complicate matters, the board is sinking and pieces are flipped over and the areas get less productive as the get closer to the center hexagon. Part of the frustration of the game lies in the constant drawing of misfortune cards which frequently invalidate any plans you might have made. You station followers on a particular segment of the island, it sinks and you lose those followers for the turn. You try to balance the number of followers to ward off the "pirate ship" (The Athenians) and you use courage markers (although the rules don't show you what a courage marker looks like...its only by process of elimination we figured this out) which add to the value of the defenders...but you lose the courage markersbecause of a misfortune card...or you draw a panic card which make your followers run one section the wrong way, making them ineffectual if you chose to put them in cities, trying to get more followers.
Each turn there are five phases (sounds like Power Grid? Maybe that is reaching too far...).
1. Allocate followers
2. Draw misfortune cards (one per player)
3. Roll for resources
4. Defend against Athenians
5. Build parts of the Cosmic Gate. (The players win if they build 10 pieces of the cosmic gate)
Its too difficult to get courage markers, followers are largely restricted to making more followers the first couple of turns. Mystic power crystals (glass beads) are too difficult to get in relation to the number of people you have to allocate to the defense against the Athenians. You are losing segments of the island, making your followers inactive for the turn. You lose them to misfortune cards and potentially to Athenians.
The action deck is a little too small in Pandemic (although its balanced to shorten the game), the misfortune deck in this game is too large. Too MANY random things that occur to complicate planning and make this game more of a slot machine than a game of strategy. It takes less time to setup Pandemic if you want to run against the game a second time than it does to setup Atlantis Rising. Its not that long, but the island sections are VERY slightly difficult to align and get in the correct order to play. Also, you have to constantly realign the island segments as you flip numerous island sections over at different times. The entire board will drift across the table because of this alignment issue. Like I mentioned above, the knowledge cards are relatively weak compared to the amount of time and manpower required to acquire them.
The last game we played took less time than it did for my computer to run a full security scan, so I guess the game isn't that long.
I'm completely baffled as there is nothing in the description saying it is a French game, and none of the reviewers mention anything either. I'm assuming there must be an English version somewhere, but if you order from Amazon, you may get the French version like I did.
Amazon UK said they will check their fulfillment center for an English version, but I'd really like to know why Amazon is selling a non-English version of something with absolutely no indication.If this ever gets straightened out I will revise my review. After I pay the postage to return this version that is--apparently I can't get a prepaid label for an overseas shipment, though they did say I will be reimbursed for the shipping. Not a great experience all around.
4/9/13 UPDATE
I've just been informed that Amazon UK has nothing but the French edition of the game. So unless you speak French, I don't advise purchasing (as Amazon will send your order to Amazon UK).
In the hopes that there is an English version somewhere, I will write to Amazon.
Read Best Reviews of Atlantis Rising Here
I have played this game at least 8o times (no joke)...it is difficult, but different every time. I have played with 2 players, 3 players, 6 players, and once the expansion comes out, BEYOND!. As long as you focus on collecting workers first and never forget to defend, your chances of winning are slightly better. Win or lose, this game is always a good time! My advice, play it more than once! Definitely a great investment!Want Atlantis Rising Discount?
A well thought out game made from quality materials. Buy this game, not only because it is great, but because Galen (the creator) is awesome.Save 17% Off
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