Published by Rio Grande Games, 20th century is a fitting game for today’s society as it is a game based loosely on the relationship between technological advancement and environmental
cleanliness, you are faced against your opponents in a series of auctions as each of you strives to win the land, science and avoiding catastrophe that will put you ahead. Every second turn there is a bonus phase that allows those falling behind a chance to catch up. The trick is finding that fine balance between your country’s growing economy and its environmental impact. At the end of the sixth turn, totals of coin, science and garbage are calculated and bonus victory points are awarded accordingly. If you plan it right you can pull ahead in this last phase!

In the game that A.J., Joee and I played this week A.J. focused on science, Joee on commerce and I simply focused on gathering victory points. By turn two I had pulled ahead of the guys on the victory track, however, Joee’s mitt-full of coins found himself being able to hold his head above the proverbial water by recycling a large portion of the garbage that he created each turn. A.J.’s focus on science kept him clear of the catastrophes in the last three rounds leaving Joee and myself even more garbage to clean up. In the end Joee, to my surprise, managed to clear his country of all garbage, A.J. was left with a few squares slightly polluted and myself with one garbage lingering in the corner of my country. Despite his perfect environment Joee couldn’t quite catch me on the victory track; however it was a fairly close game as A.J. closed the gap with his hordes of science points.
20th Century is a simple but sophisticated strategy game that the whole family can enjoy.

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