Mare Nostrum, 12 September

A return after a long absence for the Mythologically expanded version of Mare Nostrum for 6 Rivals at Adrian's (first played in 2007, the next plays were later in 2007 and then next in 2010).  We allocated roles based on initial seating plans, which meant that David got to play Atlantis from nearly in the garden, James Carthage, Andy Egypt, Adrian Babylon, Kieron Greece and Stu Rome.  Quite amazingly there was no fighting in this game whatsoever despite a. various military forces generated (with David's Kraken the most fun) and b. the fact that we ran out of caravans quite early on.  There are various very nice mechanisms in this game, the trading round perhaps best of all.  The game notes suggested that the player that controlled the key roles and who through this sets the order of play for the rounds would be most likely to win.  With two roles victory was likely it said.  Kieron managed to bag three roles and for a couple of turns held all four.  And sure enough, despite 4 players having met the victory conditions and with Andy and Stu only a turn behind, Kieron's role supremacy meant that he could steer himself to the win.  A fun and very well produced game.  Although the ending was perhaps abrupt it felt pretty well balanced and had enough interaction to keep us interested.

Having looked back at previous blog entries for this game the replay value looks interesting.  Our first foray suggested that the roles were key.  Next time we played we concluded that Egypt was unstoppable unless the other players ganged up on Cleopatra and the lack of trading "felt funny".  The third go saw Kieron win through tax income but not as Greece.  Intriguing.