Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game

Dead of Winter: A Crossroads Game

BluffingDeductionHorrorScience Fiction
Players
2-5
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
4 players
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
120 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
13+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
3.0 / 5
Year
2014

About the game

Dead of Winter is a semi-cooperative survival game set in a snowbound colony besieged by the undead. Each player controls a faction of survivors and must balance the group's shared goal with their own secret personal objective. Crossroads cards spring narrative events mid-turn, forcing hard, thematic decisions with real consequences for the colony. Because objectives are hidden, any player could be secretly working against the group: or just look like they are. It's a tense story-driven experience where trust is always in question.

Hobbli's Notes

Dead of Winter shines because of its psychological layer: knowing someone at the table might have a secret agenda changes how you play every turn. The Crossroads cards do a great job of generating memorable, story-worthy moments. It does run long and can create real friction if a hidden traitor causes the group to lose, so it's best with a group that enjoys tension. A fully cooperative variant is included for tables that prefer to skip the betrayal.

What we like

  • Hidden personal objectives create real social tension.
  • Crossroads cards generate memorable, story-rich moments.
  • High replayability from varied character objectives.
  • Thematic decisions genuinely matter to the outcome.

Keep in mind

  • Significant downtime as the game can run long.
  • A secretly sabotaging player can frustrate the group.
  • Notable rules overhead for first-time players.
  • Semi-cooperative structure can create friction among friends.

Who it's for

Suited to groups of 2-5 experienced gamers aged 13+ who enjoy narrative-driven survival games with hidden agendas.

Mechanics

Action PointsMovementDice RollingHand ManagementNarrative Choice / ParagraphPush Your LuckScenario / Mission / Campaign GameSemi-Cooperative GameStorytellingTradingHidden Roles / TraitorTurn OrderVariable Player PowersVoting

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