The King Is Dead: Second Edition
- Players
- 2-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 45 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.2 / 5
- Year
- 2020
About the game
The King Is Dead: Second Edition is a card-driven area-control game set in a divided medieval kingdom, where three factions, Scottish, Welsh, and English, struggle for dominance while foreign invaders lurk offshore. Players use hand management and area majority/influence to shift power across the map, balancing their own hidden agenda against the fortunes of the faction they secretly favor. Memory and limited communication add a layer of social deduction to the strategic area control. This second edition offers refreshed art and a new asymmetric mode for experienced players.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's editorial team admires how The King Is Dead layers hidden loyalty and social deduction onto a tight area-control chassis. The result is a game where reading opponents matters as much as reading the map. Its relatively short playtime for the depth involved makes it a great 'one more game' strategy title. The historical Scottish setting and card-driven events add strong thematic flavor.
What we like
- Clever blend of area control and hidden loyalty mechanics.
- Relatively short playtime for its strategic depth.
- Strong historical theme woven into card-driven events.
- New asymmetric mode adds fresh replayability.
Keep in mind
- Hidden agenda mechanics can be confusing for new players.
- Limited player count caps group size at four.
- Memory element may frustrate players who dislike tracking hidden information.
Who it's for
Great for strategy gamers aged 14+ who enjoy area control with hidden agendas, in groups of 2-4.
