by RobertBr
Age 12+ and 30-90 minutes, I am not convinced. Every player has exactly 50 compulsory actions and 25 optional actions, which in a four player means less than 27 seconds to make each action.Though it is no heavier than Amun-Re or similar, and probably in the light-medium range, there are board games clubs where I would not try to play Amun-Re. And certainly I would not expect to manage in under 2 hours.
I've been trying out a light version of the game, which allowed players to get all the basic elements of the game but reduces analysis paralysis caused by the range of options and allows the game to play faster.
Change 1: All of the six coloured tiles do one thing. So ALL explore tiles give you 1VP/Worker/Silver at the end of the phase (you can't mix them), and ALL city tiles allow you to either take another tile or place another tile. Having six actions seems to be quite manageable for less hard-core players, while having 36 is a little overwhelming and requires constant referencing which hugely slows the game.
Change 2: Don't replace tiles just fill in blank spaces. Essentially this is just a reaction to change 1.
Change 3: Player just four phases, dropping the last one. As it is now easier to complete your realm with the above changes and this keeps the tightness.
I'm offering this up for both comment and for those who've maybe tried the game at a less hard-core club and found that complexity and length have killed a potentially interesting game.