Rats of Wistar
- Players
- 1-4
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 90 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 13+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.4 / 5
- Year
- 2023
About the game
Rats of Wistar puts players in charge of one of four rat families that have just escaped a lab, competing to prove their family is best suited to lead the entire colony. Over five rounds, you'll explore the Farm and Wood for cheese and artifacts, dig new rooms, build beds, welcome new rats into your family, and craft inventions with help from the Alchemist mouse. Victory points come from a wide variety of sources, including missions, achievements, and family growth, giving multiple viable paths to the top of the colony.
Hobbli's Notes
This is a newer, more specialized release for us, but the pedigree of designer Simone Luciani (known for heavier worker-placement euros) suggests a well-built engine-building experience. The five-round structure and varied scoring paths look promising for fans of that style.
What we like
- Rich worker-placement engine with multiple paths to victory points.
- Solid solo mode for a heavier euro game.
- Charming rat-colony theme layered onto a serious strategic core.
- Five-round structure keeps pacing tight despite the depth.
Keep in mind
- Fairly high rules complexity for newer players.
- Long playtime for a worker-placement style game.
- May feel familiar to veteran fans of similar heavy euros.
Who it's for
Best for mid-to-heavy euro gamers who enjoy worker placement and engine building with a light thematic flourish; suited to 1 to 4 players, teens and up.
