Waste Knights: Second Edition

Waste Knights: Second Edition

AdventureExplorationScience Fiction
Players
1-4
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
2 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
2021

About the game

Waste Knights: Second Edition is a narrative-driven adventure game set in a post-apocalyptic dystopian Australia, where one to four players take on rugged heroes traveling the wasteland in search of survival and story. The game unfolds through branching Adventures made up of multiple Plots, drawn from the Book of Tales, each offering unique mechanics and dramatic choices that shape the world around the players. Each knight has two actions per turn to travel, scavenge dwindling resources, or camp to repair gear and heal wounds, alongside unique Plot Actions tied to the current story. Some adventures are cooperative, others competitive, and some splinter players into rival factions entirely. It's a heavily narrative, campaign-style game built for groups who want their choices to matter.

Hobbli's Notes

Waste Knights impresses with just how much narrative branching and mechanical variety it packs into its adventure structure: very few story-driven games offer this much flexibility between cooperative, competitive, and mixed modes. It demands real investment though, both in learning its systems and in the three-hour sessions it commands. For a group willing to dive into its post-apocalyptic storytelling, it's a rewarding, replayable campaign experience.

What we like

  • Rich, branching narrative storylines.
  • Strong post-apocalyptic theming and atmosphere.
  • Flexible cooperative, competitive, and hybrid play modes.
  • Deep character and resource management systems.
  • High replayability through the Book of Tales.

Keep in mind

  • Long three-hour playtime is a significant commitment.
  • High complexity and rules overhead for newer players.
  • Downtime can build up in larger groups.

Who it's for

Best for experienced gamers aged 14 and up who enjoy narrative-driven, campaign-style adventure games with post-apocalyptic themes.

Mechanics

Cooperative GameDice RollingNarrative Choice / ParagraphDraftingPick-up and DeliverRole PlayingScenario / Mission / Campaign GameStorytellingVariable Player Powers

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