Xsius

Game Review

by Peter Aronson



Game Designer : Don Adcock
Cost: $1.50
Publisher: Third Millennia, Inc., 46-5 Woodland Hill . Philadelphia, Mississippi 39350
Type of Game: Abstract strategy game

Physical quality: Not so good. The rules are offset printed on one side stapled together. The counters are unmounted but since there are only thirteen pieces in the game, it's just as easy to roll your own. There are three boards, all of which are used in play--the fact that they are not connected has no effect on play since the game is three dimensional and the boards are each a separate lev

Ease of play: Very good. The rules are very simple while allowing complex strategy. Play goes quite smoothly without constant reference to charts, spinners, and what not.

Game mechanism: The game mechanics for this game are unique, at least I haven't seen anything like this before. Each player has thirteen pieces: 10 pawns, two talions, and one empire. Movement is on three circular boards, each contains a different level. The boards are laid out side by side but are treated as if they are one over another. You must move each piece at least one space per turn. Each type of place has a different movement factor. Pieces are captured by placing the proper amount of forces in the save square as the enemy piece. If you have only your forces on a level. you control that level and an long as you keep a piece there only your own pieces can move an that level. Movement on the top and bottom boards is clockwise only; movement on the middle board in counterclockwise only. Movement between levels in unrestricted. In the whole game there is only one real flaw: the designer forgot to Include victory conditions. When playing the game myself, I use control of two levels, but there are many other criterion that could be used: for instance, capture of your opponent's empire, or capture of the most pieces in, set amount of turns, or control of the middle board.


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