7 Grand Steps: What Ancients Begat
What Ancients Begat is a complete (~15 hour) game of family generations surviving the rise of western civilization. Survival is the ultimate goal. The sub-goals, you choose, build their story.
Experience an abstract telling of the lives of our earliest recorded ancestors. Part board game, part machine, part nod to computer games of yore, it begins with a simple mechanic. Spend tokens to traverse the wheel of life. Earn tokens by tempting the jaws of death. Then, like layers upon a pearl, game play expands, introducing fresh tactics and strategies which, turn by turn, drive a sophisticated, emergent narrative. How you play defines the lives of one family’s generations through the changing ages.
An enormous tableau of ancient western culture awaits your exploration:
- Core Mechanic – Back and forth tactics, across four social boundaries, to win legend points.
- Family Strategy – Romance. Raise children. Rite of Passage.
- Family Drama – Tales in the life. Sibling rivalry. Failed branches. Graveyard of ancestry.
- Grand Legends – Earned over generations, they strengthen your family: Discoveries and Invention. Social Advancement. Heroics.
- Ruling Games – City Administration. Warring Kingdoms. Imperial Senate.
- The Challenges of an Age – Special for each social level. Survive and overcome, to enter a new age.
Game Discussion
Steam User 2
Whatever, I like it and I'll continue to play it in small bursts. Put coins in slots, random interesting events happen, your family goes through the ages making a name for themselves. Sad to see no movement on a sequel, but that gives me plenty of time to some day finish this game.
Steam User 0
This game is definitely not for everyone, but I found it to be interesting and fun... until I hit a late game bug that derailed my progress significantly. I'm going to play more, but it was quite frustrating to spend hours building up the economy only to have it bug out and fail. @Devs, let me know if you want my save game or a screen shot.
Bug detail: I have a screenshot shared illustrating it, but basically after spendings dozens of turns buying new fields, growing population, expanding grain production, and etc, something bugged out and reported my grain output as 0. Specifically, I had 998 planted fields that yielded 0 grain. I was deposed for spending more grain than was grown. No explanation of famine or other issue - the game just bugged. (or, if this is intended, it really sucks without an explanation as to how that occurred.)
EDIT: DO NOT PAY $20 for this game. Get it on sale for $0.99.
Steam User 0
Truly one of the most unique experiences. It sits on the border between game and art, as a powerful representation of life. Love it.
Steam User 0
Played this while waiting for the next drop in Apex, and I have to say it made me really enjoy idle clicker's more with a pacing and game play that doesn't need to draw all of my focus - think having a tv on while you're cleaning your house.
It's an odd compliment I know but i'ts the best i can describe my experience, which also is why it shows 38hrs of gameplay for me although I probably dedicated few than 10 direct hrs cause I would just keep it running while I did other things.
Would enjoy seeing this revisited in a modern era
Steam User 0
Ah, what the hell! This game is not the best game, it is heavily dependent on RNG, but at least it tries something unique. I haven't played a game similar to it before. I recommend it but keep your expectations low.
I think the worst part is the RNG because you can easily fall behind because of it and when you have fallen, it takes time to get back on track. Otherwise how it presented its story through a board game was really interesting.