Cyclades: Legendary Edition: Strategy, auctions and mythology, what do the people want?

Publisher(s) : Studio H
Designer(s) : Bruno Cathala, Ludovic Maublanc
Artist(s) : Miguel Coimbra
Players : 2–6
Playing time : 60 - 90 Min
Weight BGG : 2.77

What's this?

Cyclades: Legendary Edition is an enhanced reissue of the Cyclades board game, a strategy and conquest game inspired by Greek mythology. Players embody the leaders of city-states (Athens, Sparta, Corinth, etc.) and must compete to assert their supremacy over the Cyclades archipelago. To achieve this, they must gain the favor of the gods, build metropolises, and call upon mythological creatures. This new edition brings improved game material and rebalanced mechanics.

How do you play?

The goal of the game is to be the first to control three metropolises. To achieve this, each player must manage their resources, control strategic islands, and engage in diplomacy and warfare.

Round Play

➡️ Revenue Collection: Each player receives gold coins based on the number of islands they control.

➡️ Auction for the Gods: Each player bids on one of the available Olympian gods (Zeus, Poseidon, Ares, Athena, Apollo). The chosen god determines the available actions for the round:

– Ares: Allows land troops to be moved and fortresses to be built.
– Poseidon: Facilitates sea travel and allows ports to be built.
– Zeus: Helps recruit priests and build temples.
– Athena: Allows philosophers to be recruited and universities to be built. – Apollo: Offers an economic bonus and expansion opportunities.
– Hera: Allows you to recruit mercenary troops, recruit a Hero, and build a base building.

All gods also allow you to recruit mythological creatures.

➡️ Player Actions: Depending on the god you obtain, players move their units, attack, construct buildings, or recruit mythological creatures.

➡️ Checking Victory Conditions: If a player owns two metropolises, they immediately win the game.

Winning a Metropolis

There are three main ways to win a metropolis:

Build one building of each type (fortress, port, temple, university).
Gather four philosophers.
Conquer an opposing metropolis.

Is it good?

This reissue retains the essence of the original game while making several improvements, including a rebalancing of the mechanics. Mythological creatures have been reworked to be more impactful, better integrated, and used more frequently.

The addition of Heroes also enriches Cyclades: Legendary Edition by offering new strategic approaches and making the game even more dynamic. They can reverse critical situations and even win games thanks to their sacrificial powers.

Cities now provide a bonus when built, a significant advantage.

The modular board offers exceptional replayability, guaranteeing a unique experience with each game.

The integration of all expansions, as well as the addition of new heroes and creatures, renews the appeal of the game.

Be careful, however, as games can be long, especially with a large number of players. As in the original edition, the element of chance remains significant, particularly with the combat dice and heroes who can change the course of the game. The team mode, for its part, is a great find.

Finally, the question arises: do these new features justify the investment for those who already own the previous edition? For me, yes.

Cyclades: Legendary Edition modernizes and enriches a classic strategy game. This version offers a more dynamic and varied experience thanks to a modular board, new mechanics, and the integration of all the expansions. The auctions on the gods maintain constant strategic tension, while the battles and mythological creatures add a touch of the unexpected and dynamism.

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Review Cyclades: Legendary Edition

8.3Good

This re-release enhances Cyclades with rebalanced mechanics, reworked mythological creatures, and the addition of Heroes, creatures, and gods that bring new strategies and can turn the tide of a game. With a modular board, metropolises offering bonuses, and the integration of all expansions, Cyclades: Legendary Edition renews the experience while retaining the strategic tension and unexpectedness that made the original game a success.

Positives