[Board/Tactical Game]: Ave Caesar, reviewed by Matt Drake (5/2)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/12/12694.phtml

Matt Drake's Summary:

A beautiful recreation of a Roman chariot race.

Go to the full review for more information.

[tylermo]

I've never played Ave Caesar, but have read two reviews. Seems like it could be okay, but I have a suggestion...Avalon Hill's(the real Avalon Hill company of old) Circus Maximus. The rules might seem a bit involved, but not like some of their old level 7 to 10 games. The game was released sometime between 80-82, and is obviously out of print. It shows up regularly on ebay, but the price could be an issue for some. I've owned one copy since the late 80's, and bought an extra in recent years. I suspect your looking at 40-60-something for a complete set in good condition. The chariots and horses are carboard chits, but I think they're well done. I won't take time chattering away about the game(other sites can give you all the info), but I'll say this...the game is just simple enough to learn, yet complex enough to make it interesting. And, you're in complete control of what actions you want to perform. No cards in this game. Cards may work for games like Risk 2210, or War of the Ring, but in most games I'd rather have full control. I may be wrong, but I can't imagine the other chariot racing games surpassing Circus Maximus. Check it out online first to see if it's your cup of tea.

[Matt Drake]

Thank you for the suggestion. I have not played Circus Maximus, but it sounds cool.

I also enjoy Arena Maximus, from Fantasy Flight Games. While it does not even try to be Roman (there are dwarves and undead and orcs and a unicorn), it is a hilarious hoot of a chariot race. You can attack, block or ram your opponents, and you can crash, and you have to jump over obstacles or maneuver through difficult terrain. Going too fast costs you control, so if you speed through everything you can count on crashing.

[cfarrell]

Circus Maximus is cool, but it's also a bit long for what you get out of it I felt. But it's one of AH's old games that remains popular.

In fairness to Ave Caesar's theme, I suspect that real Roman chariot races were not as violent as all that, and were mostly just races. Apparently gladiatorial combat in the arena was very rarely fatal.

Having said that though, I agree that Ave Caesar is pretty boring. I've played it a fair amount and I really don't see why it's been such a huge collector's item all these years. Not a lot of interesting choices, long and pretty tedious (and that's playing only one race - you're supposed to do multiples), not a personal favorite.

[Wulf Corbett]

I also own a ziplock-bagged game called 'Circvs Minimvs', which is a streamlined & updated version of Circus Maximus. Faster play with, if I remember correctly, all the same features & quirks. Can't remember the game company, but it's a good simple game if you can find it.

EDIT: apparently it's by 'The Gamers'

Wulf