TDG: Ray’s Top Ten Games of All Time (10/12/23)

About Duel of Ages II, from BoardGameGeek:

Duel of Ages II is a time-scramble board game played between two opposing sides each having 1 to 4 players, with uneven size allowable. Each side controls a selected team of 8-12 characters from different ages of time: Ancient, Colonial, Modern and Future. The goal is to win greater glory in overcoming adventures and in tactical combat than the opposing team. Although multiple styles of play are available, the standard DoA game-play involves seven phases: Selection of each side's team of 8-12 characters (kept secret). Building of the interlocking puzzle map to best suit your character's skills. Selection of a Team White and a Team Black based on character Respect. Revealing and equipping of characters. Bringing characters onto the map based on Respect. A sequence of game rounds where characters maneuver on the map to accomplish adventures, hunt enemy characters and avoid dangerous situations. Counting of total achievements won. The team with the most achievements wins. The game can end at a certain time or after a certain number of rounds. Game play is an unusual mix of tactical wargame-style combat, treasure gathering, and non-combat character teamwork and adventuring, and has no close comparison to other games. Differences between characters are significant, with many having poor fighting skills. Game play and winning is therefore an act of balancing fighting, treasure-gathering and adventuring. From the game box: Select a team of characters. Overcome adventures and the enemy team to win favor, achievements, and ultimate victory. And while you are at it, enjoy the stories that your game builds. Errata (Changes to cards): An Enemy Turned (Lith Card, Secret): Remove the second paragraph. Enemies cannot be switched if they are imprisoned. Prince Wallard Blatt (Character): Wallard is killed permanently if he takes damage from anything not caused by a successful Hit. For example, damage from Cube effects or trade damage caused by Hakan. For this purpose, poison damage is caused by a successful Hit.