The Downfall of Pompeii

Macabre in board games has never really bothered me. Maybe it should, seeing as one of my favorite games involves the slaughter of thousands and the wonton destruction of property and person. Still, it’s hard not to think about all the little imaginary lives that might be affected by the way I play this little game and no game has invoked those feelings in me more than The Downfall of Pompeii.

Let’s be clear on one thing; while The Downfall of Pompeii certainly can create some empathy for the little wooden pieces that you both doom and save over the course of the game, it still allows for a sick cathartic satisfaction when burying your opponents in flows of rushing lava. The idea of the game is to save as many people as you can from the doomed city of Pompeii. The first hint at this games dark humor is the fact that you actually have to attract as many people to the city as possible before the volcano start erupting. Right before the mountain erupts in earnest, there are omens along the way that are appeased by tossing your opponent’s pawn people into the volcano as a futile tribute. It’s more grisly humor and more fun for the players!

Finally the inevitable happens and Mt. Vesuvius finally explodes, the real fun begins. Players then try to move as many of their own people out of the city, while using the lava flows to block their opponent’s exit. The game allows players to revel in the carnage as city gates are instead covered in deadly volcano vomit. Movement is limited in this phase, and sometimes sacrifices must be made in order to try and get out as many pawns as possible.

The game has some random elements, like placement of the omens, where the players can place pawns, and when exactly the eruption starts. This allows for some replay value, and the game is an interesting study in cutting one’s losses. I’ll definitely want to give this another play very soon. 6/10.