Deus
- Designer Sébastien Dujardin
- Publisher Pearl Games , asmodee , Asterion Press , Heidelberger Spieleverlag , Hobby Japan
- Illustration Maëva da Silva , Christine Deschamps , Paul Laffond , Ian Parovel
Track your results with Playnexi
Add this game to your collection and track sessions, scores, and statistics.
Start for freeWhat to Expect
In Deus, players build their civilizations on a modular hexagonal board, using building cards of six colors representing military, resources, trade, and more. Players either construct buildings or sacrifice cards to invoke gods for powerful effects. The game uses mechanics like Hand Management, Area Majority, and Action Queue. It ends when all barbarian villages are surrounded or all temples built, with points deciding the winner.
Who Is This Game For?
Deus targets experienced gamers aged 14 and up who enjoy complex strategy games. With about 90 minutes playtime, it fits a game night. Familiarity with engine-building and hand management helps, as the game combines several intricate mechanics requiring strategic planning.
How It Works
Each player starts with five building cards and can build a structure or discard cards to activate a god each turn. The modular hexagon grid adapts to player count. Built cards form colored stacks (tableau building) whose powers activate cumulatively. The number of discarded cards influences the strength of god actions. Players aim to gain majority influence and end-game bonuses to score most points.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Sébastien Dujardin, Deus was recommended for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2015 and nominated for multiple Golden Geek awards. It uniquely combines Action Queue, Hand Management, and Area Majority in a Roman mythology-themed civilization setting. The modular hex board and tableau building differentiate it from other strategy games.
Awards
2015
2015
2015
2014
- 2014 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated
Pro
- Combination of Hand Management, Area Majority, and Action Queue
- Modular hexagon board scales with player count
- Recommended Kennerspiel des Jahres 2015
- Diverse card colors with varied effects
Contra
- Complex rules require learning time
- No solo mode, only for 2-4 players
- Approx. 90 minutes may be long for casual gamers
Setting & Atmosphäre
The game is set in a mythological world inspired by Roman culture. Players develop civilizations, build temples, and confront barbarians in an ancient world full of gods and legends.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus first on understanding the effects of different card colors and plan sacrifices carefully to maximize god powers.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Deus supports 2 to 4 players and does not include a solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 90 minutes, suitable for a game night.
What prior experience do I need?
Experience with complex strategy games and mechanics like Hand Management and Area Majority is helpful.
How does this compare to similar games?
Deus uniquely combines Action Queue, Hand Management, and Area Majority within a Roman mythology civilization theme.
Is this suitable for families?
With a minimum age of 14 and complex rules, Deus is better suited for experienced players than for families with young children.
What mechanic makes it special?
The blend of Hand Management, Action Queue, and Area Majority on a modular hex grid defines Deus.
Fazit
Deus is a demanding strategy game with deep mechanics. Recommended for players who appreciate hand management and area control and can invest about 90 minutes in focused play.
