The Wolves
- Players
- 2-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 75 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.8 / 5
- Year
- 2022
About the game
The Wolves is a pack-building strategy game where 2-5 players compete to build the largest, most dominant wolf pack across a modular wilderness. A clever double-sided terrain tile system means the actions you take now determine what actions are available next round, forcing players to plan ahead. Players claim territory, recruit lone wolves, and upgrade their pack's attributes while risking rival packs luring their members away. Three mid-game scoring phases and six upgrade tracks combine to determine the ultimate victor.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's editorial team likes how The Wolves' flip-tile action system creates a satisfying forward-planning puzzle layered on top of its animal-themed area control. The risk of rivals poaching your pack members adds a nice edge of tension without becoming overly aggressive. It scales well across its full player range, which is always a plus for a territory game. As a newer release, we're not yet fully confident in how it holds up over repeated plays, so we'd flag it for review.
What we like
- Flip-tile action selection rewards forward planning.
- Animal pack theme is well integrated into the mechanics.
- Scales smoothly across its full 2-5 player range.
- Multiple scoring phases keep tension high throughout the game.
Keep in mind
- Rival pack-luring can create direct, occasionally frustrating conflict.
- Moderate complexity may need a full teaching round.
- Mid-game scoring swings can feel punishing for players caught off guard.
Who it's for
Suited to strategy gamers aged 14+ in groups of 2-5 who enjoy animal-themed area control games.
