Classic of Strategy and Survival
Tabletop gaming has given us plenty of gems over the years, but Stone Age holds a special place in my collection. It’s one of those games that’s easy to learn, satisfying to play, and surprisingly deep once you start optimising your strategy. If you’re into worker placement games with a historical twist, Stone Age is well worth your time. Let’s break it down.
Quick Facts About Stone Age
- Designer: Bernd Brunnhofer
- Publisher: Hans im Glück (German) / Z-Man Games (English)
- Player Count: 2–4 players
- Playtime: 60–90 minutes
- Recommended Age: 10+
- Genre: Worker placement, resource management
How Do You Play Stone Age?
The game throws you back to prehistoric times, where you’ll lead a small tribe, gathering resources, building huts, and improving your people’s way of life. It’s a worker placement game at its core, meaning each turn, players send their tribe members to different areas of the board to collect resources, acquire tools, grow their population, or secure civilisation cards that grant bonuses and end-game points.
The Turn Structure
Each round consists of three main phases:
- Place Workers – Players take turns assigning their workers to various locations on the board.
- Resolve Actions – Once all workers are placed, actions are resolved in a set order (resource gathering, tool crafting, etc.).
- Feed the Tribe – At the end of each round, players must feed their people, adding a layer of tension to resource management.
The Components – Aesthetically Pleasing and Functional
One of the things I love about Stone Age is its production quality. The game includes:
- A beautifully illustrated game board
- 40 wooden workers (in four player colours)
- Resource tokens (wood, clay, stone, gold)
- Civilization cards and hut tiles
- Dice for resource gathering
- A clever leather dice cup that adds a nice thematic touch
The artwork has a charming, almost storybook quality that makes the game feel warm and inviting. And let’s be honest—there’s something deeply satisfying about grabbing a handful of wooden resources.
Playing at Different Player Counts
Stone Age scales well across different player counts, though each experience has its quirks:
- 2 Players: Feels more tactical with less competition for spots, but can lack tension.
- 3 Players: A nice balance of strategy and competition, with enough flexibility to plan ahead.
- 4 Players: The most cutthroat experience—prime real estate on the board goes fast, and every decision feels weightier.
Personally, I prefer the three-player game. It keeps things competitive without making it feel like you’re constantly battling for scraps.
Expansions and Variants
For those who’ve played the base game to death, there’s an expansion called Stone Age: The Expansion, which adds a new resource (bracelets), extra huts, and a fifth player option. It introduces a few fresh strategies, but the base game is already well-balanced, so it’s more of a “nice to have” rather than a must-buy.
There’s also a Stone Age: Anniversary Edition with upgraded components, though functionally, it’s the same game.
The Digital Experience – Stone Age Online
If you want to play Stone Age without setting up a physical board, you can find it on Board Game Arena (BGA). The digital version streamlines gameplay, making resource management and worker placement quicker. It’s a great way to practice your strategy or play with friends remotely.
Is Stone Age Worth Playing?
Absolutely. Whether you’re new to worker placement games or a seasoned veteran, Stone Age offers a fantastic blend of accessibility and depth. It’s one of those games where you can introduce new players without overwhelming them, yet experienced gamers will still find strategic layers to explore. Plus, let’s be honest—rolling dice from that leather cup never gets old.