The King's Dilemma
- Designer Hjalmar Hach , Lorenzo Silva
- Publisher Horrible Guild , 999 Games , asmodee , CrowD Games , Delta Vision Publishing
- Illustration Giorgio Baroni , Giulia Ghigini
Track your results with Playnexi
Add this game to your collection and track sessions, scores, and statistics.
Start for freeWhat to Expect
Players represent noble houses in the Kingdom of Ankist, making difficult decisions each round from the 'Dilemma deck'. Through bargaining, bribery, and voting, players influence the story's direction and the kingdom's fate. Each choice has lasting consequences, with multiple branching storylines and endings. The evolving event deck shapes a unique story experience every game.
Who Is This Game For?
This is a medium-weight game for 3 to 5 players aged 14 and up, lasting about 60 minutes. It's suited for players who enjoy narrative-driven, political negotiation games with legacy elements and don't mind discussion and strategic decision-making.
How It Works
Each round, players draw a dilemma card presenting a problem the council must solve. Players discuss, negotiate, and may bribe each other before voting on a decision. The chosen outcome affects the story progression and grants bonuses or penalties to houses. The legacy mechanics ensure the game evolves over multiple sessions with permanent changes.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Hjalmar Hach and Lorenzo Silva, The King's Dilemma was nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2020. It uniquely blends storytelling, legacy gameplay, and political negotiation with branching narratives and permanent consequences.
Awards
2021
2020
2019
- 2021 Gra Roku Best Thematic Game — Nominated
- 2020 Dragon Awards Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game — Nominated
- 2019 Cardboard Republic Daredevil Laurel — Nominated
Pro
- Innovative mix of legacy and negotiation
- Multiple branching storylines and endings
- 2020 Kennerspiel des Jahres nominee
- Playable in about 60 minutes
Contra
- Only for 3 to 5 players
- Requires patience for negotiation and discussion
- Legacy elements limit replayability
Setting & Atmosphäre
Set in the fictional Kingdom of Ankist, a political fantasy world where players are part of the king’s council deciding the realm’s fate, balancing war, prosperity, and unrest.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Focus on negotiation and the impact of your decisions rather than on detailed mechanics or statistics.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
No, The King's Dilemma is designed for 3 to 5 players and has no solo mode.
How long does a game really take?
A typical game lasts about 60 minutes, relatively short for a legacy negotiation game.
What prior experience do I need?
Recommended for medium-weight gamers familiar with negotiation and legacy mechanics.
How does this compare to similar games?
It uniquely combines legacy gameplay with political negotiation and storytelling.
Is this suitable for families?
Due to complexity and age recommendation of 14+, it is better suited for experienced players.
What mechanic makes it special?
The blend of legacy, voting, and bribery mechanics creates a distinctive negotiation experience.
Fazit
Recommended for players seeking deep narrative and political interaction. It offers compelling choices with lasting impact, ideal for fans of negotiation and legacy games.
