Origin Story

Origin Story

Licensed / Adapted
Players
1-5
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
4 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).
2.1 / 5
Year
2025

About the game

Origin Story casts 1-5 players as fledgling superheroes crafting their own origin tales across five thematic chapters. Combining trick-taking with tableau building, you'll gather gadgets, allies, and grudges against your archenemy while charging cards for powerful late-game abilities. Designed by Jamey Stegmaier, it blends familiar trick-taking tension with an evolving personal power engine. Each round reveals more of your hero's journey as you race to out-score your rivals.

Hobbli's Notes

Hobbli is excited about this one: melding trick-taking with tableau-building and superhero flavor is a fresh combination from a very reliable designer. The five-chapter structure gives a strong narrative arc that most trick-takers lack. Because it's a brand-new release, our team hasn't logged enough plays to know how balanced the archenemy and ultimate-ability elements are at higher player counts.

What we like

  • Innovative fusion of trick-taking and tableau-building mechanics.
  • Chapter structure gives a satisfying sense of character progression.
  • Solo mode makes it flexible for tabletop nights alone or with a group.
  • Strong theme integration for a superhero-loving audience.

Keep in mind

  • As a new release, long-term balance and replay value are still unproven.
  • Trick-taking fans expecting a purely traditional experience may find the tableau layer distracting.

Who it's for

A good pick for 1-5 players aged 14+ who enjoy trick-taking games and want superhero-themed tableau building layered on top.

Mechanics

Trick-taking

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