The Great Zimbabwe

2012

Experience ancient Africa in 'The Great Zimbabwe', a logistico-economic board game where you build monuments, manage resources, and strategically please the gods to win.

150
minutes

2 - 5
player(s)

14+

Medium Heavy

About the game

The Great Zimbabwe is a highly strategic board game, where players assume the roles of powerful tribes in pre-colonial Africa, seeking to honor their gods through monument building. The game is a dynamic exploration of the economic, political, and religious systems of Ancient Africa. Set against the backdrop of the mighty Zambezi and Limpopo rivers, the game brings to life the rich history and culture of the great Zimbabwe civilization.

The core mechanics of the game revolve around resource management, trade, and strategic development. Players must gather resources such as wood, stone, and ivory to construct their monuments and perform religious rituals. They must also manage their tribe’s population, as more people mean more mouths to feed, but also more hands to work. Additionally, they must navigate the intricacies of trade and diplomacy with the other tribes, as alliances can be as fragile as they are beneficial.

Game components Unboxing the fun!

The board game ‘The Great Zimbabwe’ comes with a variety of components, each of which has its own specific role in the gameplay. Here’s a list of the different components and a brief explanation of their purpose:

1. Game Board

The game board is a beautifully illustrated map of the region, which serves as the playing field for the players. The board has different areas including resources, monuments, and special spaces.

2. Player Markers

Each player receives a set of markers in their chosen color. These markers are used to represent the player’s influence and progress throughout the game. They can be placed on the game board in various locations to accomplish different tasks and goals.

3. Resource Tokens

Resource tokens represent the different resources that players can gather and trade during the game. These resources are crucial for building monuments and advancing in the game. The different types of resources include wood, stone, and gold.

4. Monument Tiles

Monument tiles represent the monuments that players can build. These monuments provide points and other benefits to the players. The bigger the monument, the more points it provides.

5. Specialist Cards

Specialist cards provide players with unique abilities or advantages during the game. These cards can be acquired through certain actions and can greatly influence the outcome of the game.

6. Technology Cards

Technology cards represent the technological advancements that players can research. These advancements can provide various benefits and advantages, such as improving resource gathering or building capabilities.

7. Victory Point Track

The victory point track is a tool used to keep track of each player’s points during the game. The player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner.

8. Rulebook

The rulebook provides all the necessary rules and instructions for how to play the game. It also includes helpful illustrations and examples to assist players in understanding the game mechanics.

Each of these components interacts with the game in its own unique way, providing a rich and engaging gameplay experience. Whether you’re trading resources, building monuments, or advancing your technology, every move you make can have a significant impact on the outcome of the game.

Game setup Lay it out, line it up, let’s go

‘The Great Zimbabwe’ is a complex and strategic board game that offers players an immersive experience in the world of African tribal leaders building a great nation. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up ‘The Great Zimbabwe’.

Step 1: Board Placement

The game board should be placed in the center of the playing area. It consists of hexagonal tiles that together form the map. Each tile has a different terrain type that affects gameplay. Arrange the tiles in a way that suits all players.

Step 2: Set Up Player Resources

Each player should choose a color and take all the monuments, craftsmen, and resource carriers of that color. They should also take a player screen of the same color to hide their victory points and resources during the game. Players should place their monuments on the ‘0’ space of the victory track. The number of victory points a player has is equal to the highest monument level they have built.

Step 3: Random Elements

Shuffle the god cards and distribute one to each player at the start of the game. The rest of the cards form a deck placed face-down near the board. These cards give players special abilities that they can use during the game.

Step 4: Set Up the Market

Place the market board near the game board. The market board has spaces for the craftsman cards. Shuffle these cards and place them face-down in a deck next to the market board. Draw the top five cards and place them face-up on the market board.

Step 5: Initial Resource Placement

Each player begins the game with 2 cattle, which are the primary resource in the game. Players use cattle to build monuments, hire craftsmen, and perform other actions. The cattle tokens should be placed behind the player’s screen.

Step 6: Determine First Player

Players should decide who will go first. This player takes the first player marker and will be the first to perform actions during the game.

Step 7: Place Initial Craftsman

Starting with the first player and going in clockwise order, each player places one of their craftsmen on a vacant spot on the board. This craftsman becomes a source of resources for that player.

Step 8: Place Initial Monuments

Again, starting with the first player and going in clockwise order, each player places one of their monuments on a vacant spot on the board. Monuments are how players score victory points and win the game.

With all these steps, the setup for ‘The Great Zimbabwe’ is complete and the game can begin.

Game flow Round and round we go

The Great Zimbabwe is a strategic board game that revolves around tribal and economic development in Africa. The game is divided into distinct rounds, with each round divided into several phases. The players’ actions are largely dictated by the phase in which they are playing.

1. God Phase

The first phase of each round is the God Phase. In this phase, players can choose to follow a God. This provides them with special abilities but also raises their victory point target, making it harder for them to win the game.

2. Turn Order Phase

After the God Phase comes the Turn Order Phase. In this phase, the order of play for the rest of the round is determined. The player with the most victory points chooses their place in the turn order first.

3. Income Phase

The third phase of each round is the Income Phase. In this phase, players collect income based on the number of cattle tokens they have. Players can also earn additional income from certain monuments or gods.

4. Build Phase

Next is the Build Phase, where players can build new monuments, craftsmen, or specialists. Building costs cattle, and the more advanced the building, the more cattle it costs. However, these buildings provide income and victory points, which are vital to winning the game.

5. Ritual Phase

The final phase of each round is the Ritual Phase. In this phase, players can sacrifice cattle to their gods to gain additional benefits. However, the player must be careful not to sacrifice too much, as they may need their cattle for other actions in the game.

After the Ritual Phase, the round ends, and a new round begins with the God Phase. The game continues in this way until one player reaches their victory point target, at which point they are declared the winner.

Players'turn One turn to rule them all

In the board game ‘The Great Zimbabwe’, each player’s turn consists of several possible actions and strategic choices, which directly influence the gameplay. This turn-based system encourages players to think critically and make tactical decisions.

1. Turn Order Selection

Every turn begins with players choosing their turn order. This is a strategic choice because the player who goes first gets the first pick of actions, but also has to set the price for future actions. This decision can greatly impact the flow of the game.

2. Income Phase

During the Income Phase, players receive cattle based on their controlled monuments. Cattle are the main currency in the game, so controlling more monuments will result in more income.

3. Action Phase

This is the core part of a player’s turn. During the Action Phase, players can choose to perform a variety of actions:

Place a Monument: Players can choose to place a new monument on the board. This is a strategic decision as the placement of monuments can block other players’ actions and also determines the player’s income.
Upgrade a Monument: Upgrading a monument will increase its value and the income it provides, but it also increases the victory point requirement for the player.
Build a Specialist: Specialists provide different advantages to players. Building a specialist is a strategic choice that can greatly enhance a player’s abilities.
Claim a God: Players can choose to worship a god, which provides a unique ability. However, worshipping a god also increases the victory point requirement for the player.
Build a Craftsman: Building a craftsman allows a player to produce goods, which are necessary for upgrading monuments.
Trade Goods: Players can trade goods for cattle. This is a strategic choice because it allows players to potentially get more cattle, which can be used for future actions.

Players have to carefully consider their actions during this phase, as each decision can have a significant impact on their strategy.

4. Victory Phase

During the Victory Phase, players check if they have reached their victory point requirement. The first player to reach their victory point requirement wins the game. Therefore, the choices made during the Action Phase will ultimately determine the outcome of the game.

Overall, ‘The Great Zimbabwe’ is a strategy game that requires careful planning and tactical decision-making. Each player’s turn is filled with potential actions and strategic choices that can greatly affect the gameplay.

End of the game All good games must come to an end

The Great Zimbabwe is a complex and strategic board game where players aim to build a great civilization through trade, craftsmanship, and religion. The game ends when a player reaches or exceeds the Victory Point (VP) target they set for themselves on their turn. However, the game’s conclusion is not immediate, as other players are given the chance to surpass the current leading score in the same round.

Victory Point Target: At the start of the game, each player’s Victory Point target is set at 20 VP. As the game progresses, any actions like upgrading your tech level or using the powers of a God card will increase your individual VP target. The player who first reaches or exceeds their VP target triggers the end of the game.

End of Game: When a player reaches or exceeds their VP target, the current round is played out to the end, giving all other players an opportunity to surpass the score of the player who triggered the end game. If no other player surpasses the initial player’s score, the player who first reached or exceeded their VP target wins.

Actions before Final Scoring: All players must complete their actions for the current round before final scoring can take place. This includes the important end-of-round procedures such as collecting income, feeding your population, and managing your resources.

Scoring: Scoring in The Great Zimbabwe is primarily based on the Victory Points. These can be earned in a variety of ways, including building monuments, controlling different territories, and achieving certain objectives. Players add up their VPs from all sources, and the player with the highest score wins the game.

Tie-Breakers: In the event of a tie, the game’s built-in tie-breaker system comes into play. The player who triggered the end of the game wins any ties. If the game ends without a player reaching their VP target (extremely rare), the player with the most VPs wins.

Please note, it is crucial to strategize and plan your moves wisely in The Great Zimbabwe, as each decision you make not only affects your current position but also impacts your VP target and potential to win the game.

Scoring Did you outsmart your rivals?

In The Great Zimbabwe, a complex and engaging board game, players aim to earn victory points (VPs) by constructing monuments and controlling valuable resources. The scoring system is quite intricate, making strategic planning a key part of gameplay. Here is a detailed breakdown of how points are awarded and the tie-breaking rules.

Victory Points

Victory points in The Great Zimbabwe are primarily gained through the construction of monuments. The number of VPs a player earns corresponds directly to the level of the monument constructed. The levels range from 1 to 4:

Level 1 Monument – 1 VP
Level 2 Monument – 2 VPs
Level 3 Monument – 3 VPs
Level 4 Monument – 4 VPs

Monument Upgrades

Players can also earn points by upgrading their monuments. Upgrading a monument from one level to the next awards the player with additional VPs equal to the new level of the monument. For example, upgrading a level 2 monument to a level 3 monument would earn the player an additional 3 VPs.

Specialist Cards

Specialist cards can also contribute to a player’s VPs. The points awarded vary depending on the specific abilities of the specialist card and how well a player utilizes these abilities throughout the game.

Winning the Game

The game ends when a player reaches or surpasses the Victory Point total that was set at the start of the game (usually 20 VPs). The player with the highest total of VPs at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Tie-Breaking Rules

In case of a tie, the game has a set of rules to determine the winner:

The player with the most leftover resources at the end of the game is the winner.
If there’s still a tie, the player who reached the final score first is the winner.
If there’s still a tie, the player who started the game goes first in the tie-breaker.

Scoring and strategizing in The Great Zimbabwe creates a dynamic and exciting gameplay experience, where every decision can have a significant impact on the final outcome.

Particular Cases and Exceptions Wait… is that legal?

The game of ‘The Great Zimbabwe’ is an intricate board game that requires strategic thinking and planning. There are several unique rules, exceptions and clarifications that set it apart from other board games.

Specialists

One of the unique features of ‘The Great Zimbabwe’ is the use of specialists. These are characters that provide unique abilities and advantages to the player. However, there are some rules to keep in mind:

Each specialist can only be used once per turn.
Specialists cannot be used in the same turn they are acquired.
You may not have more than one of the same specialist.

Monuments

Monuments are pivotal to winning the game. However, there are some exceptions and rules to consider:

Monuments cannot be built on water spaces.
Monuments can only be upgraded one level at a time.
Monuments do not block routes for resources.

Victory Points

Victory points are what determine the winner of the game. However, the calculation of these points can be a little complex:

Victory points are calculated based on the level of your monuments and the number of your craftsmen.
The player with the highest victory point total at the end of the game wins.

Rule Clarifications

Several rules may require clarification due to their complexity:

When using the “Tsui-Goab” god power, you may bypass another player’s monument. This is not considered a “move”, so it does not count towards your total movement for the turn.
The “Rain Ceremony” can only be used once per turn, and it affects all players.
When using the “Ritual Specialist”, you do not need to have the resources in your personal supply. The resources are taken directly from the general supply.

Tips and tricks Play smarter, not harder!

The Great Zimbabwe is a complex and strategic board game that requires careful planning, efficient resource management, and strategic foresight. Below are some advanced strategies, beginner tips, common mistakes to avoid, and ways to optimize gameplay in ‘The Great Zimbabwe’.

Advanced Strategies

Monuments’ Placement: Aim to place your monuments in locations that give you the best access to multiple kinds of resources. This diversification can give you an advantage as the game progresses.
Specialist Utilization: Use specialists effectively. Some offer powerful abilities that can drastically alter the game dynamics, providing you with distinct advantages.
Varying Strategies: Don’t stick to one strategy. Try to vary your strategies based on the game’s state, the actions of other players, and the available resources.

Beginner Tips

Resource Management: Always pay attention to your resource management. Avoid overextending yourself in the early game, as it can lead to a lack of resources later.
Learning from Others: Watch and learn from more experienced players. Seeing their strategies can provide invaluable insights and help improve your gameplay.
Understanding Specialists: Take time to understand each specialist’s abilities. Knowing what each specialist can do will help you make more informed decisions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overreliance on One Strategy: Do not rely too heavily on a single strategy. The game’s dynamics can change rapidly, and flexibility is key to success.
Ignoring Other Players’ Actions: Failing to pay attention to other players’ actions can be a big mistake. Always keep an eye on their moves to anticipate changes and adapt your plans.
Overbuilding Monuments: Overbuilding monuments too early can leave you resource-starved in the latter stages of the game.

Ways to Optimize Gameplay

Planning Ahead: Always plan a few steps ahead. This will allow you to anticipate potential challenges and prepare for them in advance.
Effective Resource Use: Use your resources effectively. Avoid wasting resources and aim to maximize their potential.
Active Adaptation: Actively adapt to the changing game state. Be ready to change your strategy based on the actions of other players and the game’s state.