by sshawmd
I played both The Great Zimbabwe and Tzolkin at Great Lakes Games this past weekend, and I couldn't agree more with the OP.I feared that the gears mechanism would be gimmicky, but its not - it's actually very well integrated with, and necessary to, the game as designed.
But the game does NOT have a very large strategy space, and I think that it would wear out its welcome very quickly. I also have concerns that the multiple (4 or so) avenues of victory are not well balanced, but I can't be sure after too few plays. Crystal skulls and temples strategies seem strong, big corn and buildings strategy seem weak.
Zimbabwe, however, I will be playing for a long time!
Can't wait to try Terra Mystica!