Thera

Hey everyone! Let's talk about Thera, a game that throws you right onto the Greek island of Santorini, but not for a sunbathing session. It's 1646 BC, and the island has just suffered a volcanic eruption that made Pompeii look like a firecracker. In this post-apocalyptic setting, but with an epic reconstruction twist, you take on the role of a governor tasked by the Mycenaean king to get Thera back on track. The goal is simple: rebuild the island and restore its former glory, competing with other governors to see who does the best job.

Thera blends simultaneous action selection with a neat rondel system. Each round, you choose one of five available roles on the rondel – Priestess (rain), Worker (resource production), Planner (resource movement), Builder (buildings), and Trader (exchanges). Everyone can benefit from the chosen action, but the player who selected it gets an extra advantage, which increases based on the accumulated 'favor' for that role. This favor is redistributed with each use, creating an interesting dynamic.

The game involves managing resources, clearing volcanic ash (yes, there's that!), constructing economic and luxury buildings in strategic locations, and, of course, scoring points. The race to grab the right resources, move them to the construction site, and secure building plans before your opponents is the core of the competition. It's a game that demands efficient planning and sharp resource management, with a medium weight that appeals to those who enjoy a good strategic challenge without being overly complex. Ready to rebuild Santorini from the ashes?