Tempus

Cafe Games, Pro Ludo, PS-Games · Board game · 2006

7.7 Ludopedia 6.5 BGG 3–5 · best 5 60–120 min Weight 2.8/5

Buy · from US$ 22.41

7.7 rating Ludopedia

6.5 rating BGG

Buy · from US$ 22.41

Our Verdict

FOR GENRE FANS

If you enjoy civilization games with a touch of interaction and a board that changes each game, Tempus might be your new favorite! It's a race to the top with a cool era advancement system.

Highlights

Territory expansion and control
Modular and variable board
Era advancement system
Direct and strategic interaction

Keep in mind

Initial learning curve
Potential for runaway leader

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About the game

What you do in a play session

Hey board game fans! Let's talk about Tempus! This game throws you right into the shoes of a civilization leader, way back in the day. The goal is to expand your population across a hexagonal map that changes every game, thanks to modular tiles. Each era has a terrain type that's worth more points, so you'll want to keep an eye on that and send your people there, building cities and maybe even nudging your opponents with some idea cards.

The game features a 'catch the leader' system: whoever performs best advances to the next era, gaining an extra boost in actions. This means the leader gets an advantage but also becomes a target! Each era, you can move your people, increase your population (have more babies!), build cities, draw idea cards, or even initiate combat – which, by the way, is resolved without dice, just through strength and cards. The ultimate goal is to accumulate victory points through territory, cities, and reaching the end of the ten eras.

Tempus blends area control with hand management and a touch of auction, all within a civilization theme. It's a medium-weight game, perfect for those who enjoy strategic thinking and aren't afraid of direct player interaction. If you like watching your civilization grow and competing for map dominance, Tempus might be a great choice!

Gallery

Box and component photos

11 photos · from the community

01 / 11

Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.

Best player count

BGG community vote

3–5 players

3 REC

4 BEST

5 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Publisher Cafe Games, Pro Ludo, PS-Games, Ubik, Warfrog Games

Designer Martin Wallace

Artist Eckhard Freytag, Ron Magin

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

3,027owners

377wishlist

77want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions

How many players can play Tempus?

Tempus is designed for 3 to 5 players.

How long does a game typically last?

A game of Tempus usually takes between 60 and 120 minutes.

What is the complexity level of the game?

The BGG weight is 2.79, indicating medium complexity. It's accessible for those who have played a few modern board games.

Does the game have a lot of player interaction?

Yes, Tempus features direct interaction, especially through combat and competition for territory and era advancement.

Does the game setup change each time you play?

Yes, the board is modular, and the initial setup varies, ensuring good replayability.

Is this a combat-heavy game?

Combat exists, but it's not the main focus. It's resolved without dice, using cards and strength, and serves as a form of interaction and territory dispute.

Who would you recommend Tempus to?

We recommend it to fans of civilization, area control, and territory-building games, especially those who enjoy a changing board and some 'take that' elements.