Red Rising
- Players
- 1-6
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 60 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.3 / 5
- Year
- 2021
About the game
Red Rising brings Pierce Brown's dystopian sci-fi universe to the table as a hand-management, combo-building game for 1-6 players. Each turn, you deploy a card from your hand to a location on the board to trigger its benefit, then draw another card to add to your hand while enhancing your end-game score. Careful sequencing of your deployed cards builds powerful combos as you rise through the Society's rigid caste system. Whether you fight for the Golds or the Sons of Ares, every hand offers a fresh path to power.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's editorial team enjoys how Red Rising translates its source material's political intrigue into an elegant, fast-playing hand-management game. Stonemaier Games' production values are strong as always, and the built-in solo mode is a welcome touch. Fans of the book series will appreciate the faithful thematic touches, though newcomers to the series can enjoy it purely as a mechanical card game too. A great option for groups wanting a tight 45-60 minute strategy experience.
What we like
- Elegant hand-management and combo-building system.
- Strong built-in solo mode.
- Quick 45-60 minute playtime keeps sessions brisk.
- Faithful adaptation of the Red Rising book universe.
Keep in mind
- Card-only components may feel abstract to players unfamiliar with the books.
- Some take-that elements create direct conflict some groups may dislike.
- Less table presence than typical Stonemaier titles.
Who it's for
Great for strategy gamers aged 14+ in groups of 1-6, especially fans of the Red Rising book series.
