Copycat

Copycat

Card GamePolitical
Players
2-4
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
4 players
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
95 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
12+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
2.7 / 5
Year
2012

About the game

Copycat (known in German as Fremde Federn) is Friedemann Friese's deliberately eclectic mashup of popular Eurogame mechanisms, blending deck-building, worker placement, and drafting into one design. Players portray politicians racing to gather money and influence toward the presidency, deploying workers to different government offices to buy new cards, gain influence, or perform other actions. Cards are drafted in rounds from a growing marketplace divided into four "Ages," culminating in valuable Doctoral degrees. It supports 2-4 players in about 95 minutes.

Hobbli's Notes

We find Copycat's self-aware premise, openly borrowing beloved mechanisms from other Euro classics, genuinely charming rather than derivative in Friese's hands. Combining deck-building with worker placement creates a satisfying engine-building puzzle with escalating options each round. It's a meatier game that rewards planning your turn order carefully. A great pick for experienced Eurogamers who enjoy mechanism-rich, strategic designs.

What we like

  • Clever fusion of deck-building and worker placement.
  • Deep strategic engine-building across four card Ages.
  • Turn order card adds an extra layer of tactical planning.
  • Well-regarded design from veteran designer Friedemann Friese.

Keep in mind

  • Long playtime around 95 minutes.
  • Multiple interlocking mechanisms raise the learning curve.
  • Abstract political theme lacks strong narrative flavor.

Who it's for

Best for ages 12+ experienced Eurogamers who enjoy deck-building and worker placement; ideal for 2-4 players.

Mechanics

Auction / BiddingDeck / Bag BuildingHand ManagementTurn OrderWorker Placement

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