Edge of Darkness
- Players
- 1-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 120 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.5 / 5
- Year
- 2019
About the game
Edge of Darkness is a card-crafting worker placement game where rival guilds defend a besieged city while jockeying for power. Players sleeve translucent crafting slips onto cards to build unique combinations of abilities, sharing one communal deck between everyone at the table. A rising Threat Tower forces cooperation even amid the competition, as unchecked threats can attack any player. With modular locations that vary each session and support for 1 to 4 players, this 60-to-120-minute game rewards strategic synergy-building. It's the third entry in AEG's acclaimed Card Crafting series.
Hobbli's Notes
Edge of Darkness takes the card-crafting idea from Mystic Vale and elevates it with a shared deck and looming threat system that forces real tension between cooperation and competition. It's a thinky, satisfying game once the rules click, though the setup and teaching curve are non-trivial. We especially like the modular location boards, which genuinely change how each game plays out. This one rewards patient groups who enjoy engine-building with a twist.
What we like
- Innovative card-crafting system builds meaningfully on Mystic Vale's ideas.
- Shared communal deck creates unique group deck-building tension.
- Cooperative Threat Tower adds urgency shared by all players.
- Modular locations significantly boost replayability.
Keep in mind
- High complexity requires a real time investment to learn.
- Long playtime of up to two hours demands commitment.
- Shared deck can create swingy, unpredictable threat spikes.
Who it's for
Best for experienced gamers (ages 14+) who enjoy medium-heavy euro games with worker placement and deck-building elements.
