Game Review: Timeline Historical Events

Timeline Historical Events published by Asmodee

Timeline is a simple card game with a deck of 110 cards. Each card depicts a historical event, such as the invention of the elevator, the first step on the moon, or Julius Caesar saying "Alea iacta est!" (which is "the die is cast!"--a totally appropriate quote for any game). One side of the card has just a picture and the event name, the other side includes the year it happened. Players are dealt a hand of cards face down and aren't allowed to see the year side of their cards. Then one card is played face up from the draw deck to the middle of the table, say "The Founding of Constantinople (324)." Play starts with the youngest player, who plays a card to the left or right of that card, depending on whether the event on the card happened before or after 324. If the card is correct, it stays on the table. The next player has to play one of their cards either on one of the ends or inbetween the two cards if the event falls in that period of time. If incorrect, it's discarded and the player has to draw a new card face down. Play continues with a longer and longer time line, making it more challenging to place cards accurately. The first player to play all their cards wins.

This game is a lot of fun and a sneaky way to teach dates of events to children (and adults!). It also inspires some research on events or places you have not heard of (like, what are the Dolmens?). The game is so popular that it spawned six or seven other themed decks (like American History, Discoveries, Music & Cinema, etc.--the original is Inventions) that can be combined to make an even larger, more challenging game.

Highly recommended!