Rise & Fall
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 80 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
- 2024
About the game
Rise & Fall is a strategic civilization game for two to four players set in a fantasy world of glaciers, cliffs, and hidden highland passes. Each player grows a small tribe into a full civilization, expanding with villages, temples, merchants, and elite highlanders across a modular map that's different every game. There's no luck or randomness involved: all of your options are laid out on six action cards, so success comes down to reading the board and planning ahead. Games run around 80 minutes for up to four players. Designer Christophe Boelinger built the game around an easy-to-learn core with a long strategic runway for more demanding players.
Hobbli's Notes
We appreciate how approachable the rules are given how much strategic depth is packed in: nothing here relies on dice or card luck, so every loss is a lesson. The modular island setup means the table looks genuinely different game to game, which keeps things fresh. The downtime between turns can run a bit long in four-player games, so it plays best with a group that doesn't mind planning during others' turns. Overall it's a satisfying pick for strategy-focused tables looking for a fully skill-based civ-building experience.
What we like
- Completely luck-free, skill-based gameplay.
- Modular board creates a different map every session.
- Easy-to-learn action card system with real depth.
- Rewarding long-term strategic planning.
Keep in mind
- Downtime between turns is on the higher side.
- Area control can eliminate falling-behind players from key regions.
- Longer playtime for a mid-complexity game.
Who it's for
Suited to strategy gamers who enjoy area control and civilization building, ideally in groups of two to four who don't mind a deliberate pace.
