Hands in the Sea
- Players
- 2
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 120 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.1 / 5
- Year
- 2016
About the game
Hands in the Sea is a two-player deckbuilding wargame that recreates the First Punic War between Rome and Carthage (264-241 BC). Players build custom decks of cards representing colonization, naval movement, and battle, fighting for control of Sicily and the western Mediterranean. Over up to twelve turns, random events, income, and scoring shape the campaign, with multiple paths to victory including capturing the enemy capital. Inspired by A Few Acres of Snow, it layers deckbuilding onto a historical conflict simulation for a tense head-to-head duel.
Hobbli's Notes
We love how Hands in the Sea takes the deckbuilding-wargame hybrid pioneered by A Few Acres of Snow and pushes it further into the ancient Mediterranean. It's a tight, cerebral duel that rewards players who enjoy planning several moves ahead. The low downtime is a real strength for a wargame this dense - you're never just watching your opponent think. We'd only steer casual gamers away given the steep complexity curve.
What we like
- Offers a fresh historical wargame experience through the lens of deckbuilding rather than traditional combat systems.
- Multiple paths to victory keep games from feeling one-dimensional.
- Low downtime for a two-player wargame keeps both players engaged throughout.
- Deep strategic options from custom deck purchases and strategy cards reward repeated plays.
Keep in mind
- High complexity and a 120-minute playtime make it a poor fit for casual or first-time gamers.
- Strictly limited to two players, so it can't be brought out for larger groups.
- Historical wargame theme and deckbuilding mashup may not appeal to players who dislike either genre.
Who it's for
Best suited to experienced two-player gamers who enjoy historical simulation and deckbuilding hybrids; not a casual pickup game given its complexity and length.
