Old Ones Origins
Old Ones Origins at your next game night?
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- Designer Samuel Bailey
- Publisher Chaosium
- Illustration Małgorzata Śliwka
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You command one of the Great Old Ones and lead a unique faction in a competitive struggle for cosmic dominance. Gameplay centers on Area Majority / Influence and Area Movement: conquer regions, break enemy seals and gain Victory Points. Four influence types determine available actions; summoning monsters, warping reality and direct clashes drive the play as described.
Who Is This Game For?
Aimed at experienced players and Cthulhu fans: with a 14+ age recommendation and roughly 240 minutes playtime, Old Ones Origins fits long, strategic sessions. Familiarity with asymmetric or area-control games helps with the learning curve.
How It Works
The game mixes Area Majority / Influence and Area Movement on a modular board. Variable Player Powers make each faction play differently, Order Counters and Card Play Conflict Resolution manage action sequencing and conflicts, while Dice Rolling adds randomness to combat or effects. The primary objective is to break opponent seals and meet the Victory Point conditions set at setup.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Samuel Bailey, Old Ones Origins is a thematically focused reimplementation with asymmetric factions and Variable Player Powers. The blend of influence mechanics, card-based conflict resolution and dice-driven outcomes on a modular board sets it apart from simpler area-control titles. Components include miniatures according to the families metadata.
Pro
- Asymmetric factions with Variable Player Powers
- Combination of Area Majority / Influence and Area Movement
- Modular board leads to varied scenarios
- Strong Cthulhu theme
Contra
- Very long playtime (~240 minutes) requires commitment
- High complexity and asymmetry can make the learning curve steep
Setting & atmosphere
Set in the Cthulhu Mythos: eons before humanity, ancient gods vie for control over space, time and all life. Players act as Great Old Ones influencing cosmic regions.
Tips for beginners
Focus first on understanding your faction's powers and the influence mechanics; agree on action flow with your group to manage the long session.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
No. The game supports 2–4 players; a solo mode is not listed.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 240 minutes; include setup and teaching time for an evening-long play session.
What prior experience do I need?
Experience with asymmetric or area-control games is helpful; the title targets players comfortable with longer, strategic games.
How does this compare to similar games?
It pairs asymmetric faction design with a modular board and multiple influence types, differing from pure area-control games by adding card/dice conflict resolution.
Is this suitable for families?
Due to its duration (~240 minutes) and complexity, it is less suitable for casual family groups or younger players.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of Area Majority / Influence, Variable Player Powers and a modular board defines the core experience.
Fazit
Old Ones Origins delivers deep asymmetric play and area-control tactics for 2–4 players, best suited for long evening sessions. If you enjoy complex, thematic conflict in the Cthulhu setting, this is worth considering; casual groups may find the length and complexity demanding.
Old Ones Origins at your next game night?
Add Old Ones Origins to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Old Ones Origins to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
