Publisher: Garphill Games & PixieGames
Author: SJ Macdonald & Shem Phillips
Illustrator: Sam Phillips
About...
During his first year as king of Persia, Cyrus the Great issued a written decree to the Israelite exiles living under his reign:
The God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has charged me to build him a temple in Jerusalem. Any of his people may go up to Jerusalem in Judah to build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel. And wherever there are survivors now, the Persian people must provide them with silver, gold, goods, livestock, and offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem - Ezra 1:2-4.
Decades later, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes’ reign, the king noticed a certain sadness in his cupbearer, Nehemiah. When asked why he looked so sick, Nehemiah replied:
Let the king live forever! Why should I not look sad when the city of my ancestors lies in ruins and its gates have been destroyed by fire? If it pleases you, and if I have found favor in your eyes, let me go to the city of Judah where my ancestors are buried and rebuild it - Nehemiah 2:3-5 (paraphrased).
The goal of Ezra and Nehemiah is to be the player with the most victory points at the end of the game. Points are earned primarily by building the temple, rebuilding the city walls and gates, and teaching Torah to returning exiles. Players can also seek to develop their lands, travel to settlements outside the city walls, or stoke the altar fire to keep it burning day and night. The prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, will do their part to keep the people focused on what is most important.
For 3 weeks (rounds), players will use their hand of cards, workers, and resources to help rebuild the great city of Jerusalem. After 6 days of work, there will be a Sabbath day of rest. Food will be needed and the work of the week will be taken into account. The game will end after the end of the 3rd Sabbath.
Highlights:
- Complex thematic strategy game
- Combines multi-use cards, hand management, worker placement and resource management
- A unique experience that is both strategic and historical!
