Ancient Terrible Things
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.1 / 5
- Year
- 2014
About the game
A pulp horror adventure game for 2-4 players in which intrepid explorers travel a dark jungle river, facing Ominous Encounters at Fateful Locations to unlock Ancient Secrets. Players roll dice to build combinations, spend Focus, Courage, Treasure, and Feat tokens, and either score points or unleash a Terrible Thing that counts against them. The game ends at the climactic Unspeakable Event, with the most Ancient Secrets crowning the winner. Its push-your-luck dice combos and pulp-horror theme give it a distinct Cthulhu-adjacent flavor.
Hobbli's Notes
Ancient Terrible Things captures a fun, pulpy horror vibe with dice-combo mechanics reminiscent of Yahtzee-style set collection layered onto worker placement and push-your-luck decisions. It's approachable for newer gamers while still offering some tactical depth in resource management. At 60 minutes and moderate complexity, it's a solid mid-weight choice for horror and adventure fans. The theme and card art help sell the pulp-adventure atmosphere well.
What we like
- Fun pulp-horror theme with strong thematic integration.
- Push-your-luck dice mechanics offer tense decision-making.
- Multiple resource types create varied strategic paths.
- Moderate playtime and complexity make it broadly accessible.
Keep in mind
- Dice-based system introduces heavy luck swings.
- Can feel repetitive across multiple Fateful Location visits.
- Not a deep strategy game for players wanting tighter control.
Who it's for
Good for 2-4 players aged 12+ who enjoy horror/adventure themes, dice-based push-your-luck games, and moderate strategic depth.
