Age of Gods --- Bluffing game

After doing Atlanteon, I had to post a good game to get the bad taste out of my mouth. Age of Gods is a light-hearted fun little bluffing game for 2-6 players. The box feels like decent quality, and the artwork is interesting.

Doesn't look like too many pieces to keep track of. The game comes with a board, a rulebook, an extra-detail book, a ton of little counter-style tokens, a deck of cards, and some grey markers with a die. Let me tell you, the board is pretty looking.

There are 24 races in the game, 6 of each size. Sizes range from 4 to 1, and the maximum size for each race is double the starting size. For example, the faeries have a starting size of 1, and can grow to a maximum of 2. Orcs have a starting size of 4, and can grow to a max of 8. Each race has a specific "land" where they start on the game map, and the rest of their counters go on the spaces to the left for later use. There are cards that match each race, and 12 "god" cards.

Each player is dealt 2 god cards and selects which one to play. All the gods are made up, and do not follow any mythology or any other type of deity. Unfortunately, they are pretty standard.. In other words, there is no "god of beer", no "god of awesome cars"... Although there is a "god of technology". Each card has a special quality that it grants to the player who chooses it (the god of protection has extra fortify token, the god of war gets a bonus to any attacks he makes, etc...). Each player is also dealt out their first size 4 race card. Now the goal in Age of Gods is to have the races that follow you be the biggest races. You get extra points for owning cities (red-bordered tiles) and for each territory your races control. But you do not receive all your races at once, they are dealt to you throughout the game. You can make any race perform an attack (which is absurdly simple, roll the die and compare the number), including ones you do not control. The trick is to make the other players think that you are controlling different races than the ones you actually are so they don't band together and obliterate you. There are also some cards that do special things to help races on the board.

The theme could have been a bit more deep, but the game makers tried to stay on a line between objectionable and okay. Unfortunately, that makes the theme feel kind of pasted on. Art-wise, the board and box and cards are all great... Then you have the tokens. The art on these feels like a last-minute cop out.

Each token has two sides, one that has a symbol and the name of the race, the other has a depiction of the race on a solid-color background. We typically use the name sides when playing. Other than that, Age of Gods is a pretty good game, if a little light on gameplay.

If you want a copy, as always Board Game Geek has it, and so does Boards and Bits. I paid $6 for my used copy, price ranges from $8 (used) to $25 (new).

FUN: 4. It's a solid game, and fun to play.

THEME: 3. Decent theme, but it really has little to do with the game.

QUALITY: 4. Solid quality here. Wooden fortification tokens, thick cardstock.

ART: 3. Could have been a 4, but I'm disappointed in the counter tokens.

INTERACTIVITY: 4. Very interactive game.

COMPLEXITY: 3. Once you get the hang of it, it isn't hard at all.

LUCK: 3. Some dice and some card draws, but balanced well.

It's a fun game, recommended for people who think they're sneaky.