Through the Ages Review Summary

High replayability and variety: The game offers immense replay value with various strategies, card combinations, and game modes. Each game feels different and requires a unique approach, ensuring that players have a fresh experience every time.

Strong and fair AI: The AI in the game is well-programmed, challenging, and does not cheat. It offers a competent and enjoyable experience for solo play, with varying difficulty levels that cater to both beginners and experienced players.

Smooth and intuitive UI: The user interface is clean, intuitive, and well-designed, making it easy for players to navigate and enjoy the game. It includes helpful visual cues, tooltips, and a resource overview that enhances the gaming experience.

Excellent tutorial and onboarding: The game features one of the best tutorials, which is clear, humorous, and easily understandable. It prepares players well for countless hours of strategy and is praised for its conversational and detailed explanations.

High-quality digital adaptation: The digital version of the game is highly praised for its faithful adaptation of the board game. It includes automated bookkeeping, rule enforcement, and a user-friendly interface that makes it more convenient and less fiddly than the physical version.

Bugs and technical issues: Players report various bugs and technical issues, including crashes, unstable multiplayer, and problems with online play. These issues significantly impact the gameplay experience.

Game complexity and learning curve: The game is noted for its steep learning curve and complexity, which can be daunting for new players. The sheer amount of information to track and the difficult interface contribute to this complexity.

Multiplayer and online issues: Multiplayer and online modes have several problems, including long turn times, difficulty finding friends to play with, and clunky interfaces for inviting friends. These issues make online play less enjoyable.

Sound and notification issues: There are issues with sound and notifications, including no sound or notification about the start of the game. This can lead to confusion and a less immersive experience.

Confusing mechanics: Certain mechanics in the game, such as the idle workers mechanic, are found to be confusing. This can add to the overall complexity and difficulty of the game.

Complex and strategic gameplay: The game offers a complex and strategic experience with various mechanics such as turn-based strategy, card-based mechanics, and resource management. Players can enjoy different modes like solo play with AI, multiplayer, and asynchronous gameplay.

Resource and population management: Core gameplay involves managing resources like food, ore, and science, as well as balancing population and military units. Players need to anticipate and manage these elements to succeed.

Card-driven mechanics: The game features card-driven gameplay with different cards for military, events, and technologies. Players use cards divided into ages and rows to drive their civilization's progress.

Leader and government choices: Players can make strategic and meaningful choices regarding leaders and governments. The game features unique cards representing historical figures and structures.

Historical and cultural elements: The game includes historically accurate figures and buildings, as well as cultural points that determine the victor. Players need to balance building engines and generating culture.

Performance and Stability Issues: The game has mixed reviews regarding its performance. While some players report stable and smooth gameplay, others experience performance issues, bugs, and occasional crashes. Specific issues include glitches under Linux, touchscreen bugs, and unstable multiplayer. Some players mention that reinstalling did not fix the problems, but others report smooth performance with SteamPlay/Proton in Version 4.

Online Game Mode Issues: The online game mode has been criticized for very long turn times and server connection issues. Some players also report buggy online play and unstable multiplayer.

Graphics and UI Improvements: Players appreciate the better graphics on PC and the well-done port with a good UI. Some players had mouse issues that were fixed by changing the screen resolution.

Tutorial and Gameplay Experience: The game includes a detailed tutorial for new players, which is appreciated. Players have reported minor bugs, with one player encountering a bug during 75 hours of gameplay. Another player reported the app stopped working after 107 hours of gameplay.

Progress Saving and Minor Lag: Players appreciate that the game saves progress in AI games. However, there are reports of minor lag during AI turns.

Recommended for strategy and board game fans: The game is highly recommended for fans of strategy games, board games, and complex gameplay mechanics. It is particularly suited for those who enjoy in-depth gameplay and are willing to invest time to learn the mechanics.

Ideal for Civilization lovers: This game is a must-have for those who love Civilization-type board games. It offers a more refined 4X experience, making it a great choice for fans of the genre.

Seamless cross-platform play: The game supports seamless cross-platform play, allowing users to enjoy the game across different devices without any issues.

For those who enjoy strategic depth: This game is perfect for players who enjoy games with strategic depth. It offers a rich and complex gameplay experience that strategy enthusiasts will appreciate.

For players who don't mind learning the hard way: The game is suitable for players who are willing to learn through trial and error. It may have a steep learning curve, but it is rewarding for those who persist.

Steam Deck: The Steam Deck experience is marred by significant compatibility and stability issues. Users report frequent crashes and difficulties running the game with different versions of Proton, which necessitates additional tinkering and negatively impacts the overall experience.

Gift purchases mentioned: Some players mentioned that the game was bought as a gift. This indicates that the game may have appeal as a gift option.