The Downfall of Pompeii (2004)

The plot line takes place in a year 79 A.D. Ancient Roman city of Pompeii, located at the foot of the Vesuvius volcano, is buried under a layer of ash after the eruption. The game is devoted to the rescue of residents from the "paws" of the catastrophe.

How to play?

Despite the meager set of components and simple rules, The Downfall of Pompeii seems to be quite unusual right after the first game. The fact is that the events on the field not only graphically illustrate the period of formation and death of the city, but also divide the process into two separate segments, which are played in completely different ways. The first part of the game tells about the settlement and prosperity of Pompeii, the second one tells about the eruption and escape of the inhabitants. The task of the players here is more than humane, to save people. By the way, some methods are not humane at all.

So this is it, the game with an interesting storyline, and an unexpected turn. You can even say that The Downfall of Pompeii are two mini-games in one. In the first one we try to get good cards to get as many of our residents as possible, and evenly distribute them around the city. The second one is to try to move the escapers to the exits in most effective way and at the same time to cover the clusters of rivals chips with lava.

You learn how to play just in five minutes. The most important tip is to explain the purpose of the chips, and what awaits them, so that the newcomers do not then get confused. There are no genius strategies in this game. Pompeii attracts with its simplicity and, let's say, the change of the game climate. When at first we do one thing, and then completely another. Well, and, of course, everyone likes to throw people into the volcano!

If everyone understands the main goal, then the game will go smoothly and often everyone remain chances to win till the very end. After all, as soon as someone goes ahead a little, he is immediately braked. And since the of lava spreading is unpredictable, it's hard to escape. It will not work either by the number of exhibited residents or during the eruption, lava will eat everyone!

Conclusion

The most interesting moments are drawing additional chips of "relatives" in the first phase and thinking over the optimal escape route in the second. When, with the help of the opponents' chips and the concerted actions of your residents, it turns out that even the one surrounded by fire and seemed hopelessly stuck can be successfully released.

There are few tricks here, some of them are reduced to reaction for your rivals moves and others are to extended cards and tiles. The game could be called an ideal option for family time, if there was not a direct conflict with the destruction of each other’s chips.

In conclusion, you should to pay attention to this compact and pleasant in every moment board game. It will definitely help to spend the hour or two of time for a small company in exciting and gambling manner.