- Publisher : Z-Man Games
- Designer(s) :Benjamin Schwer
- Artist(s) : Dominik Mayer, Andreas Resch
- Players : 2–5
- Playing time : 45 - 60 Min
- Weight BGG : 2.21
What's this?
In Hadara, players take on the role of civilization builders who develop their people by recruiting characters, accumulating wealth, and raising monuments to achieve glory. The goal is to score the most victory points through a balance between different domains.
How do you play?
The game is played in 3 eras, each composed of two major phases.
➡️ Card selection
Drawing cards:
Each player draws two cards from the pile corresponding to their coat of arms indicated by the turn. They choose:
Buy a card: by paying its cost and adding it to their civilization. This immediately improves the corresponding track.
Discard a card: to gain 2 coins.
Once both cards have been dealt with, players move on to the next pile, according to the direction of the turn.
➡️ Development actions
Buy discarded cards: cards not used during Phase 1 are available for purchase.
Build colonies: if their military strength (red) reaches a sufficient threshold, players can annex colonies, which offer victory points and bonuses.
Sculpt statues: by spending culture (blue), players can build statues that earn points.
Buy Seals: For each category reached at a high level, players can place a seal, increasing their victory points.
Important:
At the end of each era, players must feed their characters. If the food track is not sufficient, cards must be discarded.
At the end of the 3rd era, points are calculated based on:
- Levels reached on the development tracks.
- Colonies annexed.
- Statues sculpted.
- Seals placed.
- Purple cards and other bonuses.
Is it good?
Often compared to 7 Wonders for its civilization theme and card management mechanics, Hadara stands out for its different and more accessible card selection system. Players must select their cards based on the location of their crest, which brings a unique strategic touch.
The game also offers progression on several development tracks (agriculture, trade, culture and military), which further differentiates it from 7 Wonders. The balance between card management, progression tracks and bonuses makes for an enjoyable gaming experience.
Accessible and fluid, Hadara guides players through clear and simple steps, but this simplicity can also be a drawback: interaction between participants is limited, with each player focusing mainly on their own board.
Although the civilization theme is used, it lacks depth and the game is more like a mechanical exercise in optimization. Despite this, Hadara is appreciated for its simplicity and accessibility. While it may lack originality, theming, and interaction, it’s still a great choice for introducing new players to card management and track progression games.
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Review Hadara
Positives
- Accessible and fluid
- Balance between card management and progression tracks
- A gateway for new players
Negatives
- Non-existent theme
- Limited interaction
- Quite repetitive after several games
