Founders of Gloomhaven
- Players
- 1-4
- 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.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 4.1 / 5
- Year
- 2018
About the game
Founders of Gloomhaven is a competitive tile-placement and city-building game set hundreds of years before the events of Gloomhaven, as players control fantastical races working to construct the city itself. Using action cards, players place resource buildings, refine raw materials, and deliver goods to proposed building sites to earn prestige. Because no player can import every resource type alone, cooperation and trading with rivals is essential: even as an auction and voting system determines what gets built where. Designed by Isaac Childres for 1-4 players, it's a hefty 120-minute strategic experience set in a beloved fantasy universe.
Hobbli's Notes
This is a surprisingly cerebral economic engine hiding inside a fan-favorite universe: the forced trading between rivals creates genuinely interesting tension you don't often see in city-builders. It's a heavier commitment than the Gloomhaven name might suggest to newcomers, so set expectations accordingly.
What we like
- Deep, interconnected resource-trading economy.
- Forced player interaction through trading adds real strategic tension.
- Solid solo mode included.
- Set in the richly detailed Gloomhaven universe.
Keep in mind
- High complexity and rules overhead for newcomers.
- Downtime can build up at higher player counts.
- Reliance on trading with opponents can slow the pace of play.
Who it's for
Best for experienced strategy gamers aged 14 and up who enjoy trading, resource management, and heavier Euro-style city-building games.
