Rattus
- Players
- 2-4
- 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.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 2.1 / 5
- Year
- 2010
About the game
Rattus places players in medieval Europe during the Black Death, using help from peasants, monks, merchants, knights, witches, and kings to manage the spread of plague across regions. Each round, players draft one of six character roles, each granting different abilities that affect population growth, plague spread, and area control. When the plague finally withdraws, the player with the highest surviving population wins. It's a compact area-majority game with an unusually dark historical theme.
Hobbli's Notes
A clever, tightly-designed area-majority game whose variable-role drafting keeps every round feeling different. The plague theme is grim but handled with a light touch, making for a tense, quick-playing medium-weight euro.
What we like
- Unique variable-role mechanic changes each round.
- Thematic plague-spread tension throughout the game.
- Quick 45-minute playtime for its strategic depth.
- Solid player interaction through area control shifts.
Keep in mind
- Dark historical theme may not appeal to everyone.
- Role selection order introduces some luck.
- Area control shifts can feel chaotic at times.
Who it's for
Euro strategy gamers, best with 2-4 players who enjoy area-majority games with historical themes.
