Dawn of Madness

Diemension Games, HIT Games, Rawstone · Board game · 2024
— Ludopedia 8.3 BGG 1–4 · best 1 Solo 90–120 min Weight 3.9/5
Buy · from US$ 147.84
— rating Ludopedia
8.3 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy psychological horror with a deep story and cooperative mechanics, Dawn of Madness is for you! It's an immersive experience that pulls you right into the nightmare.

Highlights
  • Engaging and immersive narrative
  • Tense and challenging co-op
  • High replayability with choices
  • Well-executed horror theme
Keep in mind
  • High language dependency
  • Can be very challenging
  • Requires campaign dedication
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Prepare for a mind-bending journey! In Dawn of Madness, you awaken in a place that defies logic, a vivid nightmare where reality distorts and fragmented memories haunt you. You don't remember how you got there, but one thing is certain: you're not alone. Grotesque and impossible beings lurk in the shadows, but the worst part is the recognition: perhaps you knew them before.

This is a cooperative survival horror adventure for 1 to 4 players, set in a dark universe reminiscent of the hit Deep Madness, but with a completely new and standalone experience. Each player takes on the role of a wanderer lost in this feverish hellscape, surrounded by distorted echoes of their own past. The mission? Discover what brought you to this world and, more importantly, survive.

With an engaging narrative that unfolds across chapters, you and your companions will unravel mysteries, use amplified mental powers to fight aberrations, and unite consciousnesses to overcome challenges. Collecting 'coda' cards and memories will boost your abilities and reveal your past. Every choice matters, shaping the story's progression and leading to multiple endings for each wanderer. At the campaign's climax, the character with the most story points faces their own terrifying final boss.

Variety is guaranteed with unpredictable mini-bosses and their distortions, which alter the game each round, and 'malformations' – corrupted versions of the wanderers themselves, dragging you into the darkest corners of the psyche. It's an intense psychological experience, with significant language dependency, that will test your nerves and sanity. If you enjoy psychological horror and complex narratives, prepare to dive deep.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

7 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 BEST
2 REC
3 REC
4 OK

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Mechanism: Campaign Games
Publisher Diemension Games, HIT Games, Rawstone
Designer Chauncey, Roger Ho
Artist Adam Taubenheim, Christopher Shy, Pedro Sena, The Creation Studio

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

1,466owners
526wishlist
42want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many people can play Dawn of Madness?
Dawn of Madness is designed for 1 to 4 players. It can be enjoyed solo or with a group.
How long does a game session take?
A typical game session lasts between 90 and 120 minutes, though this can vary based on scenario complexity and player decisions.
Is the game difficult?
Dawn of Madness is considered a challenging game, with a BGG weight of 3.85/5. The horror and survival elements demand cooperation and strategy to overcome obstacles.
Do I need to know how to play Deep Madness?
No! Dawn of Madness is a completely standalone experience, set in the same universe, but it doesn't require prior knowledge of Deep Madness.
Does the game involve a lot of reading?
Yes, the game has a high language dependency. The narrative is a key feature, but it requires players to be able to read and understand the text.
Is it a campaign game?
Yes, Dawn of Madness is a campaign game with multiple chapters. Your choices and outcomes in one session will affect subsequent ones, leading to an epic conclusion.

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