Time of Crisis: The Roman Empire in Turmoil, 235-284 AD
- 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.
- 180 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.0 / 5
- Year
- 2017
About the game
Time of Crisis: The Roman Empire in Turmoil, 235-284 AD puts players in control of rival Roman dynasties during one of history's most turbulent periods, as the empire teeters on the edge of collapse. Combining deckbuilding with area control, you gather military, senate, and popular support to build armies, seize provinces, and fend off barbarian incursions. Your cards determine which actions you can take on the map, while your board position in turn shapes which cards you can add to your deck. It's a rare hybrid that fuses deckbuilding mechanics with a genuine light wargame experience, playable in roughly 2-3 hours. Rich historical flavor and meaningful decisions run throughout this clash for control of Rome.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's team finds Time of Crisis a fascinating fusion of deckbuilding and area-control wargaming that feels genuinely fresh. The tight feedback loop between your cards and your board position rewards careful long-term planning. It's a heavier, longer game that demands real commitment and can suffer downtime while players plan complex turns. History buffs and wargamers looking for something different from typical hex-and-counter designs will find a lot to like here.
What we like
- Innovative fusion of deckbuilding and light wargame mechanics.
- Strong historical theme with meaningful strategic decisions.
- Rewards long-term planning and deck management.
- Playable in a reasonable 2-3 hours for a wargame.
Keep in mind
- Long playtime and high commitment score for casual groups.
- Notable downtime between turns as players plan.
- Steep learning curve for newcomers to wargames.
Who it's for
Best for experienced wargamers and strategy gamers (14+) who enjoy deckbuilding-driven area control; ideal with 3-4 players for full historical drama.
