Kremlin
- Players
- 3-6
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 6 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 75 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.8 / 5
- Year
- 1986
About the game
Kremlin drops players into the political intrigue of the Soviet Politburo, jockeying for control over a cast of scheming politicians. Each participant secretly assigns influence to ten politicians, hoping to steer their actions through the phases of a turn. Actions age politicians, risking illness and death, while purges, exiles, and promotions reshape the balance of power. Whoever keeps a healthy Party Chief through three parades wins this satirical game of negotiation and secret deals.
Hobbli's Notes
Kremlin is a fascinating slice of 1980s political satire dressed up as a negotiation game, and Hobbli finds its secret-influence system still holds up as a clever piece of design. It's not a game for the faint of heart socially: expect scheming and shifting alliances throughout. A great pick for groups who love pure negotiation and hidden information.
What we like
- Clever secret-influence system drives real intrigue.
- Rich satirical political theme.
- Encourages constant negotiation and shifting alliances.
- Unique among classic Euro-era games.
Keep in mind
- Long playtime with significant downtime between phases.
- Heavy negotiation may not suit quieter groups.
- Dated production compared to modern designs.
Who it's for
Best for experienced gamers age 12+ who enjoy negotiation and hidden-information politics, in groups of 3-6.
