Thebes

[Brel]

Thebes

This is the new entry for the Queen printing Jenseits von Theben. As the new game changes several mechanisms of the original, and is available in a much wider release, the two games should be regarded as separate entities.

Jenseits von Theben is a game of competitive archeology. Players are archaeologists who must travel around Europe to acquire knowledge about five ancient civilizations -- the Greeks, the Cretans, the Egyptians, the Palestinians, and the Macedonians -- and then must use this knowledge to excavate historical sites in the areas of these civilizations. Through the course of the game, expositions are revealed, and an archaeologist who has treasures from the requisite civilizations may claim the prize (this is a change from the first-editions handling of exhibitions). The archaeologist who learns the most about the civilizations, claims the greatest-valued artifacts, and collects the most exhibitions will win out over his or her colleagues.

The key element to the game is that it is played out over a period of two (or three) years, and each action a player performs takes a certain amount of time -- traveling is a week between cities, gathering knowledge takes time for the level of the knowledge, and actually digging at a cultural site takes time to yield a certain number of artifact cards. The game uses a novel mechanism to keep track of this -- there is a track of 52 spaces around the outside of the board, each time a player moves and takes an action, he or she moves their player token forward in time. Players take turns based on being the one who is furthest back in "time". So, a player can go to an excavation site and spend 10 weeks digging for artifacts, but that will also mean that the other players will likely be taking several actions in the interim while that player waits for the "time" to catch up.

In addition, the artifact tiles for each civilization are drawn from a bag that also contains dirt. When a player excavates at a site, that player pulls tiles from the bag, but some may only be worthless dirt instead of valuable treasure.

Source: Boardgamegeek.com

[Brel]

I've been aching to play this archeology-themed game.  Many has given it high-ratings.

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"I?ve really enjoyed playing Thebes. Despite its randomness, it?s just a very fun game and makes me feel as if I?m actually in a race to uncover famous artifacts. Yes it can be frustrating at times, but I imagine that?s probably a common feeling for real archaeologists. The components and game play combine to make this probably the most thematic game that I own. It?s also a bonus that it plays in a reasonable amount of time and is easy to teach, thus making it attractive to several of my more casual gaming relatives and friends. People who dislike a bit of luck in their games may want to steer clear of this one, but folks who enjoy theme and don?t mind a healthy dose of chance should enjoy it. Bottom line: I really ?dig? Thebes and currently rate it an 8." ~ Mitch Willis (Compleat Games & Hobbies)

[Brel]

I can't seem to get a hold of this game until now.  Arrrggghh... it's always out-of-stock!    Now, it's currently the top HOT GAME at BGG.

[Brel]

Archaeology is in!  Just in time for INDIANA JONES upcoming movie...

Tat ta taht taaah - ta ta thah...
A custom miniature for Thebes...

Taken from BGG

[Brel]

I'm just too excited to see this movie... and play Thebes after! hehe 

[Brel]

- Recommended Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) 2007
- Nominee International Gamers Awards 2007
- Nominee Deutscher SpielePreis 2006

[togashi]

Got these through a trade. My wife and I enjoyed it a lot. Ended up bringing it to Red Ribbon today for a 4 player game.. Fun! As Fab can attest

[maskmanjoe]

Adrian gave up on this game after spending 12 weeks work of digging and managing only a few low cost artifacts and ALOT of dirt

[togashi]

That's what happened to Fab