# The Great Zimbabwe

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 2012
- **BGG Rating**: 7.8
- **BGG Rank**: #361
- **Players**: 2-5 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 90-150 min
- **Weight**: 3.69 / 5
- **Designers**: Jeroen Doumen, Joris Wiersinga
- **Artists**: Ynze Moedt
- **Publishers**: Splotter Spellen
- **Categories**: Civilization, Economic, Industry / Manufacturing, Transportation
- **Mechanics**: Auction / Bidding, Income, Market, Modular Board, Network and Route Building, Open Drafting, Ownership, Square Grid, Tile Placement, Turn Order: Auction, Variable Player Powers, Variable Set-up

## Verdict
Perfect for those who love heavy logistics and an intense cerebral challenge. The highlight is the interdependence between economy and scoring.Deep and rewarding logisticsHigh replayability via modular boardGod system with varied powersHigh-level strategic challengeVery steep learning curvePacing can be slow for beginnersFOR GENRE FANS

## Description
Get ready to dive into ancient Africa with The Great Zimbabwe, a game where you take on the role of a tribal leader seeking divine glory. The goal? Build colossal monuments to please a god of your choice. But don't think it's just about stacking stones: each of the twelve available deities offers unique blessings, but also requires different levels of effort to secure victory.

The heart of the game is logistics. You'll need to assemble an efficient transport network to collect resources and deliver offerings from your craftsmen to the monuments. It's a constant exercise in optimization: buying the right technology, managing production, and manipulating turn order to avoid falling behind. The tension rises because you only have ONE action per turn. Every single choice is critical.

The interesting twist is the scoring balance. If you focus too much on technology, choose an extremely powerful god, or expand your economy too aggressively, the bar for your victory rises, requiring more points. It's that classic 'race' where you decide your own speed, but you must keep a close eye on your opponents, as their moves can completely shift the landscape. With a modular board and variable setups, every game is a new puzzle. If you enjoy Splotter games, you know the experience is dense, cerebral, and rewarding, requiring you to think several steps ahead while managing scarce natural resources.

## FAQ
### Is the game very complex?
Yes, it has a BGG weight of 3.69. It's recommended for experienced gamers who enjoy managing complex systems and logistics.

### How long does a game take?
Expect to spend between 90 and 150 minutes, depending on the number of players and the group's experience.

### Does it work well with 2 players?
Yes, the game supports 2 to 5 players, though the competitive dynamics shift depending on the table size.

### Is there a lot of reading during the game?
No, there is very little text; most information is memorizable or visual, reducing language dependency.

### What makes it different from other civilization games?
The extreme focus on resource delivery logistics and the mechanic where your own success (tech/power) increases the points needed to win.

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