Stone Age

Hans im Glück, 999 Games, asmodee · Board game · 2008
2–4 · best 4 60–90 min Weight 2.5/5
8.6 rating Ludopedia
7.5 rating BGG
8.6 rating Ludopedia
7.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you're looking for a classic worker placement game with a satisfying blend of resource management and strategic decision-making, Stone Age is a fantastic choice that brings the prehistoric era to life. It's perfect for players who enjoy building up their civilization from humble beginnings.

Highlights
  • Engaging worker placement mechanics
  • Satisfying resource gathering and crafting
  • Accessible rules, easy to learn
  • Thematic prehistoric setting
  • Good balance of luck and strategy
Keep in mind
  • Dice rolls can be swingy
  • Player interaction is indirect
  • Can feel a bit repetitive
RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
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About the game
In Stone Age, we're transported back to the challenging times of the Stone Age, where survival depended on wit and hard work. Taking on the role of prehistoric tribe leaders, players strive to hunt, gather, farm, and craft essential tools for the advancement of their civilization. Life wasn't easy, and our ancestors toiled with wooden plows in stony earth, but the quest for better tools and more productive plants never ceased, driving evolution.

The game unfolds in three exciting phases, with each player managing up to ten tribe members. In the first phase, strategy is key: players take turns placing their workers in different regions of the board. Will they go to the hunt, the trading center, the quarry, or perhaps the planting grounds? The choice is yours, and intelligent allocation is crucial for success. In the second phase, each player activates their occupied areas in any sequence they choose, following turn order. Here, flexibility allows for optimizing resource collection and action execution. Finally, in the third phase, comes the challenge of subsistence: you must have enough food available to feed your entire population. Failing to do so can cost valuable resources or victory points, so plan your provisions carefully!

Stone Age is a fascinating journey through prehistory, where the balance between luck and planning is crucial to prosper. Collect wood, mine stone, wash gold from the river, trade freely, and expand your village to reach new heights of civilization. With an engaging mix of worker placement, dice rolling, and set collection, this game offers a rich and strategic experience that will make you feel like a true leader of the Stone Age.
Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Stone Age English · PDF
Download PDF
BEST PLAYER COUNT
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4 BEST
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Game details

Families

Components: Wooden pieces & boards Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Digital Implementations: BrettspielWelt Digital Implementations: Steam Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Digital Implementations: Yucata
Publisher Hans im Glück, 999 Games, asmodee, Bard Centrum Gier, Boardgame Space, Devir
Designer Bernd Brunnhofer
Artist Michael Menzel
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play Stone Age?
Stone Age is ideal for 2 to 4 players, offering a balanced experience across all configurations.
What is the average playtime for Stone Age?
A game typically takes between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of players and familiarity with the game.
What is the complexity of Stone Age?
With a complexity rating of 2.46/5 on BGG, Stone Age is considered a light-medium weight game, accessible for beginners but with enough depth for experienced players.
Is Stone Age language dependent?
No, the game is largely language independent, with clear icons and components that don't require constant reading, making it easy to play anywhere.
What are the main components of Stone Age?
The game comes with a sturdy board, wooden pieces (workers and resources), dice, civilization and hut cards, and food markers, all featuring artwork reminiscent of the Stone Age.
Who is Stone Age recommended for?
It's highly recommended for families, groups of friends, and anyone looking for a worker placement game with an engaging theme and a good mix of strategy and luck.
Are there any expansions for Stone Age?
Yes, 'Stone Age: The Expansion' adds a fifth player, new buildings and cards, plus jewels as a new resource, increasing replayability and strategic options.