Hostage Negotiator: Crime Wave
- Players
- 1
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 1 player
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 20 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 15+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.2 / 5
- Year
- 2017
About the game
Hostage Negotiator: Crime Wave is a standalone expansion for the solo card game Hostage Negotiator, putting you in the role of a negotiator talking down a hostage-taker one tense conversation at a time. Each turn you play cards and roll dice to build conversation points, chip away at the abductor's threat level, and free hostages before things spiral out of control. It introduces its own set of new Abductors, Conversation Cards, Terror Cards, and Pivotal Events, all built on the same hand-building foundation as the original game. Cards you purchase go straight into your hand for the next round, letting you build a strategy that adapts as the crisis unfolds. Crime Wave can be played entirely on its own or combined with the base Hostage Negotiator game for even more variety.
Hobbli's Notes
Hostage Negotiator has always been one of the sharper solo card games out there, and Crime Wave keeps that tension high with new, distinct Abductor personalities to negotiate against. The hand-building system, where cards you buy become tools for the very next turn, creates a satisfying push-and-pull rhythm that's rare in solo design. Being fully standalone is a big plus for new players, though the dice-and-card math can feel a bit fiddly at first.
What we like
- Fully standalone, so no base game is required to play.
- New Abductors and cards add fresh replay value.
- Satisfying hand-building loop keeps solo decisions engaging.
- Combines with the original Hostage Negotiator for even more depth.
Keep in mind
- Strictly a solo experience with no multiplayer option.
- Dice-and-card math can feel fiddly for newcomers.
- Repeated plays against the same Abductors can grow familiar over time.
Who it's for
Great for solo gamers ages 15+ who enjoy tense, card-driven decision-making.
