DRCongo

Ragnar Brothers · Board game · 2015
1–4 · best 4 Solo 120–180 min Weight 3.7/5
6.7 rating Ludopedia
6.9 rating BGG
Buy
6.7 rating Ludopedia
6.9 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you love economics, politics, and a dash of African adventure, this game will hook you.

Highlights
  • Engaging city building
  • Fun dice combat
  • Interesting historical layers
  • High-quality components
  • Strategic challenge
Keep in mind
  • Long playtime
  • Moderate to high complexity
  • Requires detail focus
  • Not for beginners
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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About the game
Picture yourself as a visionary industrialist trying to save the Democratic Republic of Congo from a devastating conflict. In DRCongo, each player becomes a magnate, building oil refineries, mineral mines, and crop farms while expanding a transport network that links rivers, railways, and roads to the port of Matadi. Selling those resources at the port brings in cash, but the path isn’t that simple: insurgents threaten your operations from the start, and you’ll need to deploy peacekeepers to keep them at bay. As the game progresses, additional layers appear: the local government steps in, and in the final layer, foreign countries intervene, offering opportunities and threats alike. Combat against insurgents is fun and tense, with a dice system reminiscent of classic Ragnar Brothers games. But don’t be fooled – complexity ramps up quickly as you balance production, transport, logistics, and diplomacy. The components are solid – wooden pieces, colorful gems, and a detailed map of 11 provinces – giving the game a striking visual flair. If you enjoy strategy games that blend economics, city-building, and politics, DRCongo offers a rich, challenging setting. Get ready for long sessions of 120 to 180 minutes, where every decision can alter the course of Congo’s history.
Rules videos

In English

BEST PLAYER COUNT
1 REC
2 OK
3 REC
4 BEST
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Game details

Families

Components: Gems/Crystals Components: Map (Continental / National scale) Components: Wooden pieces & boards Continents: Africa Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Crowdfunding: Kickstarter
Publisher Ragnar Brothers
Designer Gary Dicken, Phil Kendall, Steve Kendall
Artist Marco Primo
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play?
1 to 4 players. Solo play is possible, but the experience is richer with more participants.
What is the average playtime?
Between 120 and 180 minutes, depending on player experience and decisions made.
Is the game complex?
Yes, it combines several mechanics – auctions, commodity speculation, route building, and dice combat – requiring attention and strategic planning.
What components are included?
Board with a map of 11 provinces, wooden pieces, colored gems, resource tokens, dice, insurgency, government, and intervention cards, and peacekeeper tokens.
Who is the game for?
For those who enjoy strategy, economics, politics, and city building, and who don’t mind investing time and focus.
Does the game support other languages?
The game was released in English and Portuguese, but may require translation of cards or spreadsheets for other languages.