thumb|right|1st edition published by Good Industries in 1986
Ancients is a board wargame published by Good Industries in 1986 that simulates various historical battles in pre-gunpowder settings.
Description
Ancients is a two-player wargame with rules for low-complexity tactical combat. The game box includes four map sheets to be used with various battles.
In Issue 7 of Berg's Review of Games, game designer Richard Berg commented that the game "attempts to combine at least a modicum of flavor and creativity with its simplicity, synthesizing familiar rules into an enjoyable and eminently playable system." After examining the scenarios, Berg was impressed, writing, "With his simple little system, [game designer Bill] Banks has managed to paint some (but certainly not all) broad truths about ancient and medieval warfare." Berg called the game a family hatchback compared to the Maseratis of the wargaming world but concluded that Ancients was "a pretty good way to introduce the uninitiated to our obsession. It's fast, furious, fun that ends quickly, and leaves you wanting more. Bill Banks has managed to keep it simple without becoming overly simplistic."
Other reviews and commentary
- Battleplan #7 (Aug-Sept 1988)
- Fire & Movement #70
- Fire & Movement #88