Xi'an

Imagine being a trusted delegate of Emperor Ying Zheng in 246 BCE. Your mission? Ensure the glory of the Qin dynasty lasts forever, even in the afterlife. To achieve this, you've been tasked with a monumental project: leading a team of workers and artisans to build the legendary Terracotta Army. This is no ordinary task; it's part of the Great Mausoleum, a colossal monument designed to protect the emperor in the next life.

To succeed, you'll need to master resource management. You'll be collecting materials, crafting detailed statues, decorating them to perfection, and ensuring every warrior is equipped with fine wood and bronze weapons. The game moves quickly through six main turns, but don't let that fool you: each turn is split into two rapid rounds. In total, you will make twelve strategic decisions throughout the game.

The gameplay is incredibly clever: at the start of each turn, you receive four cards from your personal worker deck. The secret here is foresight. You choose two cards to play immediately and set the other two aside face down to be used in the second round of the turn. This creates a constant sense of tension and anticipation! Will my choices be enough, or will my opponents snatch the resources I desperately need?

After the six turns are up, the player who has gained the most prestige—meaning, who did the most impeccable job for the Emperor—is declared the winner. It's an agile strategy game with a fascinating historical theme and mechanics that reward those who can anticipate the next move and manage their hand effectively. If you enjoy games that blend resource management with a dash of strategic tension, Xi'an is definitely for you!