Mythology: A Game of Adventure in the Age of Heroes
Yaquinto (1980, $15.00)
Designed by J. Stephen Peek
Players 2-11
Period Fantasy
Turn abstract
Map not stated (approx. 50 miles)
Unit individual monsters and heroes

Components

Box flatbox
1 21 1/2"x27 1/2" unmounted mapsheet
196 die-cut counters
1 12-page rulebook
2 identical sheets of basic rules
54 game cards
10 god/goddess cards
1 hero control log pad
2 six-sided dice (in different colors)
1 plastic counter tray

Counter Manifest

33 heroes 32 monsters 32 fates 24 divine occurrences 19 hero helpers 16 lesser evils 10 god/goddess 10 god/goddess point markers 10 prizes 8 ships 1 game turn 1 blank

Yaquinto says

“[A] game set in the Heroic Age that allows each participant to assume the role and powers of a major Greek god or goddess. Players use their powers and persuasive abilities to attempt to either control or destroy mortal heroes and legendary monsters. Through prayer and sacrifice players attempt to protect their ‘favored’ heroes from the wrath of other gods who may try to eliminate them before they can return from their quest with valuable and sacred items such as the Golden Fleece. Famous heroes such as Jason, Hercules, Theseus and many more must face the constant perils of fearsome creatures, or more divine things such as earthquakes, volcanos, tempest, plague and pestilence in order to survive and give glory to their god or goddess.”

The reviewer says

“First the good points. The mapsheet is beautiful: bright colors, well-drawn, and on cardstock ... The counters are heavy and nicely done in three sizes and several colors ... Unfortunately, the typos abound on the counters, and I found a few beauties in the rules ... The basic game is simple-minded and static. The advanced game is overly complex and almost unplayable (at least with four players; I am told play is more fluid with six). The rules are hard to read, hard to understand and hard to explain to a new player ... I do not recommend it.” John Strohm in The Space Gamer 31.

Comments

“Too long” and “too complex” are the current opinions frequently voiced regarding Mythology. However, there is still no game out there that better captures the entire scope of the Greek myths -- from the struggle of the gods and their favored epic heroes to the terrible monsters and the mystical treasures they guard -- all played out on a stylized map of the world as it was believed to be in ancient times (Northern Europe to the areas around the Mediterranean).

Collector’s Notes

A sought after game, probably due to the unique treatment of the subject matter. Boone 4th lists low/high/average auction prices of 16/70/39. In Boone 3rd, auction prices were 6/28/16 and sale listings were 10/35/19.

Other mythological games
(Against Four Worlds, SPI Again, Dangerous Air Eaters, Metagaming American Revolution quad, SPI Blood and Guts, 3W The Brus, Fusilier ... oh, you meant... -ed)

Other games about mythology
Hammer of Thor (Gameshop)
Heroes of Olympus (Task Force)
Iliad (International Team)
Iliad: The Siege of Troy (Conflict)
Odyssey (International Team)
Ragnarok (SPI)
The Trojan War (Metagaming)
Troy (Chaosium)
Viking Gods (TSR)

Capsule Profiles:

Mad Monks and Relics
Merc
MiG Killers and Expansion Kit
Missile Boat
Mission Aloft
Mythology