Vindication
- 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.
- 150 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.1 / 5
- Year
- 2018
About the game
Vindication (originally Epoch: The Awakening) is a story-driven fantasy adventure for 2-5 players in which you wash ashore a hostile island with nothing but your will to survive. Through worker placement, area majority, and a unique heroic-attribute alchemy system, you recruit companions, collect relics, and battle monsters to reclaim your honor. Each turn you choose three actions, activating companions, traveling, and interacting with map tiles, giving you total control over your turn order. With modular tile setups and over 72 unique card abilities, no two games play the same.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's editorial team loves how Vindication turns simple resource icons into a genuinely inventive attribute-combining puzzle. It's a big, meaty fantasy game that rewards planning ahead, though the rulebook and iconography take a session or two to click. Once it does, the freeform turn structure feels wonderfully open-ended.
What we like
- Inventive heroic-attribute alchemy system rewards creative combinations.
- High replayability thanks to modular boards and dozens of card abilities.
- Freeform action order gives players real tactical flexibility.
- Strong fantasy theming carries through the mechanics.
Keep in mind
- Long playtime and high complexity make it a big ask for casual groups.
- Dice rolling introduces variance that can frustrate purely strategic players.
- Rules and iconography have a steep initial learning curve.
Who it's for
Best for experienced gamers aged 14+ who enjoy fantasy-themed strategy games with deep systems; ideal for groups of 3-5 who don't mind a longer, meatier game night.
