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Innovation

Innovation is a card game where players lead civilizations through history, using unique abilities and technologies to achieve dominance. Players must balance their own progress with preventing opponents from achieving victory.

7.30 / 10
BGG Rating
12+
age
2010
published year
2 - 4
player count
2 - 3
Recommended player count
45 - 60 mins
play time

How Complex is Innovation?

2.76 / 5

Innovation has a moderate learning curve due to the large number of unique cards and complex interactions, but is easy to play once the rules are understood.

How much Luck is involved in the gameplay of Innovation?

2.5 / 5

Luck plays a moderate role in Innovation, as players draw cards randomly, but can mitigate luck through strategic card play and knowledge of the deck.

How much Player Interaction does Innovation offer?

4.5 / 5

Innovation offers high player interaction, as players can directly attack and steal from opponents, as well as use their opponents' cards to their own advantage. The game also encourages negotiation and alliances.

How much Replayability does Innovation offer?

4 / 5

Innovation offers high replayability due to the large number of unique cards and possible combinations, as well as the unpredictable nature of each game.

Why you should play Innovation

Unique gameplay

Innovation is a card game that offers a unique gameplay experience. Players must build a civilization by playing cards that represent different technologies and advancements. The game is full of surprises and strategic choices that keep players engaged throughout.

Replayability

With over 100 different cards and multiple paths to victory, Innovation offers a high level of replayability. Each game is different, and players must adapt their strategies to the cards they are dealt.

Easy to learn, difficult to master

While Innovation has a lot of depth, it is also easy to learn. The game comes with a clear rulebook and the gameplay mechanics are intuitive. However, mastering the game requires careful planning and strategic thinking.

Quick gameplay

Innovation is a relatively quick game, with most games lasting around 30-45 minutes. This makes it a great choice for a quick game night or as a warm-up game before diving into something more complex.

Fun for all skill levels

Innovation is a game that can be enjoyed by both casual and serious gamers. The game is easy enough for beginners to pick up, but offers enough depth to keep experienced gamers engaged. Additionally, the game can be played with 2-4 players, making it a great choice for a variety of group sizes.

Why you should avoid Innovation

Randomness

While the game offers a lot of strategic depth, there is also a fair amount of randomness involved. The cards you draw can greatly impact your ability to win, and some players may find this frustrating.

Complexity

While the game is easy to learn, it can be quite complex to master. Some players may find the game overwhelming or too difficult to fully understand.

Lack of player interaction

Innovation is a game that can be played in a very solitary manner. While there is some player interaction, it is limited and some players may find the lack of direct competition or conflict to be boring.

Unbalanced cards

Some players may find that certain cards are overpowered or unbalanced, which can lead to frustration or a feeling of unfairness.

Limited theme

While the game offers a unique gameplay experience, the theme of building a civilization through technology may not be appealing to all players.

Where to find the Rules of Innovation

You can find the community-driven rules summary, player aid, etc., in the Innovation files section on the BoardGameGeek website. You need an account on BGG to download files.

Beginner Strategies for Innovation

These strategies are for players who have either not played or played one or two games of Innovation.

Focus on drawing cards

Drawing cards is essential in Innovation, as it allows you to build up your hand and have more options to play. Try to use cards that let you draw more cards, such as "Sailing" or "Printing Press."

Build up your score

The goal of Innovation is to score points, so try to focus on cards that give you points. Cards like "The Wheel" or "The Compass" can give you points quickly.

Use your opponent's cards

Innovation is a game where you can use your opponent's cards to your advantage. Try to use cards like "Code of Laws" or "Philosophy" to take advantage of your opponent's cards.

Keep an eye on your opponent's score

It's important to keep an eye on your opponent's score and try to prevent them from scoring too many points. Use cards like "War" or "Piracy" to disrupt their plans.

Don't be afraid to experiment

Innovation is a game where you can try out different strategies and see what works best for you. Don't be afraid to experiment with different cards and see what works best for your playstyle.

I hope these strategies help you get started in Innovation!

Advanced Strategies for Innovation

Focus on chaining cards

Chaining cards is a powerful strategy in Innovation, as it allows you to play multiple cards in a single turn. Look for cards that have effects that trigger when you play other cards, such as "Steam Engine" or "Electricity."

Keep track of your opponent's cards

As you become more experienced with Innovation, it becomes more important to keep track of your opponent's cards. Try to remember what cards they have played and what cards they have in their hand, so you can anticipate their moves.

Use your score pile to your advantage

Your score pile can be a powerful resource in Innovation. Try to use cards like "Invention" or "Democracy" to take advantage of the cards in your score pile.

Don't neglect the lower-level cards

While it's tempting to focus on the higher-level cards in Innovation, don't neglect the lower-level cards. Cards like "Agriculture" or "Clothing" can be powerful when used in the right situation.

Adapt to your opponent's strategy

As you play more games of Innovation, you'll start to notice patterns in your opponent's playstyle. Try to adapt your strategy to counter their moves and take advantage of their weaknesses.

I hope these strategies help you improve your gameplay in Innovation!

Mechanics

Hand Management
Variable Phase Order
Take That
Advantage Token
Tech Trees / Tech Tracks
Melding and Splaying
Layering

Categories

Card Game
Civilization

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