Rajas of the Ganges
- Designer Inka Brand , Markus Brand
- Publisher HUCH! , 999 Games , Devir , Dice Realm , DV Games
- Illustration Dennis Lohausen
Track your results with Playnexi
Add this game to your collection and track sessions, scores, and statistics.
Start for freeWhat to Expect
You play as a raja or rani in 16th-century India, developing estates into prosperous provinces using workers and dice. The game blends Dice Rolling with Worker Placement and Tile Placement: place workers, spend dice for actions and build up your personal tableau. Two opposing tracks (money and fame) run in parallel and influence the final outcome. Expect a balance of tactical placement and resource choices against the randomness of dice.
Who Is This Game For?
Geared toward experienced gamers (medium-to-heavy complexity) and suitable for players aged 12 and up. It supports 2–4 players and fits game nights that can accommodate about 75 minutes per session. Prior experience with worker placement and resource-management games is useful.
How It Works
Core mechanics include Worker Placement, Dice Rolling, Track Movement, Tile Placement and Connections. Players use dice to activate actions and place workers on action spaces, then move markers on scoring tracks. Your personal tableau grows through tile placement while track movement and connections affect resources and scoring. The interplay of dice results and tactical placement shapes engine development and pacing.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Inka and Markus Brand, the game is notable for combining dice-driven actions with classic worker placement. It won the International Gamers Award (General Strategy: Multi-player) in 2018 and earned several Golden Geek nominations in 2017. The twin opposing scoring tracks for money and fame are a distinctive feature.
Awards
2018
2017
- 2018 Juego del Año — Recommended
- 2017 Meeples Choice Award — Nominated
Pro
- Smart integration of Dice Rolling and Worker Placement
- Opposing scoring tracks create interesting strategic tension
- Personal tableau growth via Tile Placement ties theme to mechanics
- Winner of the International Gamers Award 2018 (General Strategy: Multi-player)
Contra
- Dice luck can noticeably influence outcomes
- Multiple intertwined mechanics require explanation time
- Around 75 minutes, so not a very short filler
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set in 16th-century India between the Indus and Ganges rivers, players act as local rulers expanding provinces. The historical theme informs tableau building and action choices.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Learn how the two scoring tracks work first and then focus on steady tableau development; adapt plans around dice outcomes rather than relying on exact rolls.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No. The game is designed for 2–4 players.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 75 minutes; include setup and explanation time when planning a session.
What prior experience do I need?
Familiarity with worker placement and resource-management games helps; the game targets experienced hobby players.
How does this compare to similar games?
Its distinctive mix of Dice Rolling with Worker Placement and the opposing money/fame tracks set it apart from many pure worker-placement titles.
Is this suitable for families?
Suitable for families with older children (12+), but the complexity may be high for casual family groups.
What mechanic makes it special?
The combination of Dice Rolling and Worker Placement, together with Track Movement and Tile Placement, defines its gameplay.
Fazit
A solid choice for players who like dice integrated into economic worker-placement games. If you prefer minimal randomness, the dice element can produce swingy turns.
