Heimlich & Co.
- Players
- 2-7
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 5 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 30 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 8+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.5 / 5
- Year
- 1984
About the game
Heimlich & Co. is a classic Wolfgang Kramer design for two to seven players, built around an oval movement track populated by seven differently colored spy pieces. On a turn, a player rolls a die and can move any combination of spies forward, scoring points based on where each spy lands - but crucially, no one knows which color spy belongs to which player until the very end. That hidden-identity twist turns simple movement into a game of bluffing and deduction, as players try to secretly advance their own spy while reading others' moves for clues. Advanced rules let players score bonus points for correctly guessing everyone's identity at game's end.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli's team considers this a delightful lightweight classic - the hidden-identity twist on a simple movement track is a clever bit of design from Wolfgang Kramer. It supports up to seven players, making it a rare family game that scales to a full crowd. It won't offer much depth for serious strategy gamers, but as a quick social icebreaker it holds up well decades after its release.
What we like
- Supports up to seven players, unusual for a game this light.
- Hidden-identity twist adds clever bluffing to simple movement mechanics.
- Quick thirty-minute playtime suits family game nights.
- Advanced rules add replayable depth for repeat groups.
Keep in mind
- Significant luck from dice rolls limits strategic control.
- Depth is limited for players seeking a more strategic experience.
- Can feel repetitive across many consecutive plays.
Who it's for
Families and casual groups of up to seven players, ages 8 and up, looking for a light social deduction game.
