# Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2023
- **BGG Rating**: 7.2
- **BGG Rank**: #9217
- **Players**: 1-6 (Best with: 1)
- **Duration**: 120-420 min
- **Weight**: 2.60 / 5
- **Designers**: Chris Vorder Bruegge, Mark McLaughlin
- **Artists**: Mark Mahaffey
- **Publishers**: GMT Games
- **Categories**: Ancient, Civilization, Wargame
- **Mechanics**: Area Movement, Take That

## Verdict
A massive historical epic for players who crave deep strategy and divine chaos!Deep historical immersionFlexible playstylesHuge civilization varietyUnique deity systemVery long playtimeSteep learning curveLanguage dependency for cardsRECOMMENDED

## Description
If you thought Ancient Civilizations of the Inner Sea was intense, get ready to brace yourself, because ACME is here to crank up the chaos! Produced by the same heavyweight team—Christopher Vorder Bruegge, Mark McLaughlin, and Fred Schachter—this isn't an expansion, but a completely standalone experience. Here, you aren't just building cities; you're struggling to survive the wrath of gods and men across a landscape stretching from the Hellespont to the Indus River.

The big upgrade? You now have a staggering 17 civilizations to command! And forget your traditional world wonders; the focus here shifts to Deities. You can even attempt to capture an opponent's deity statue to prove your theological (or military) superiority. The game offers incredible flexibility: looking for a bloody wargame with epic battles? You got it. Prefer a more relaxed session of exploration, trade, and city-building? That works too. Chaos is guaranteed by a 110-card deck capable of unleashing biblical-scale disasters upon your rivals.

The map is a standout feature, featuring vast deserts that restrict growth, fertile river valleys perfect for population booms, and rugged mountains that demand fortresses to hold. You control the clock: this can be an epic multi-hour odyssey spanning four epochs or a quick-fire 'sudden death' match. Whether playing solo, in a group, or mixing live players with system-driven civilizations, ACME is a historical strategy playground where the fate of the ancient world rests firmly in your hands.

## FAQ
### Is the game really that long?
It can be! Depending on your chosen mode, it can range from a 2-hour session to a multi-hour epic odyssey.

### Can I play it solo?
Yes! It features a robust system for solo play or for mixing live players with system-driven civilizations.

### Do I need the previous game?
No, ACME is a completely standalone game.

### How complex is it?
It's a medium-heavy weight game, aimed at experienced players who enjoy managing many moving parts.

### Is it strictly a war game?
Not at all. You can focus on trade, building, and faith, though combat is always an option.

### Do I need to be fluent in English?
Yes, there is a significant language dependency due to the amount of text on the cards.

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