QE
- Players
- 3-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 5 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 45 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 8+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.5 / 5
- Year
- 2019
About the game
QE puts you in charge of a central bank during a financial crisis, bidding to bail out sixteen companies using unlimited printed money. Secret bidding and open auctions determine who claims each company, with bonus points for sets of nationalized, monopolized, or diversified holdings. But there's a twist: whoever prints the most money loses all their victory points, no matter how well they bid. It delivers sharp economic tension in a short session, supporting up to five players out of the box.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's team enjoys QE's satirical premise and the way it turns bidding into a psychological balancing act rather than a simple race to spend the most. The 'biggest spender loses' twist keeps every auction genuinely tense, since going too far can wipe out an otherwise winning position. It's light on rules but surprisingly sharp in play, especially with a full table of five. Some players may find the theme's satire an acquired taste, but as a bidding game it's tight and clever.
What we like
- Clever risk/reward twist where overspending costs you everything.
- Quick 45-minute playtime that fits into any game night.
- Simple rules make it easy to teach to new players.
- Secret bidding rounds create real tension between players.
Keep in mind
- The financial satire theme may not land with every group.
- Auction-heavy games can feel repetitive for players who dislike bidding mechanics.
- Limited strategic depth for experienced heavy gamers.
Who it's for
Great for ages 8 and up who enjoy quick economic and bidding games; works well for family or casual gaming groups of 3-5 who like light strategy with a memory/set-collection twist.
