Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory

Hegemonic Project Games, Board Game Rookie, CMON Global Limited · Board game · 2023
2–4 · best 4 90–180 min Weight 4.3/5
9.5 rating Ludopedia
8.4 rating BGG
How to Play Buy · from US$ 70.98
9.5 rating Ludopedia
8.4 rating BGG
Our Verdict

For anyone who loves political simulation and wants to feel what it's like to manage a socio-economic crisis, this one's a must. Strong asymmetric mechanics and a theme that keeps surprising.

Highlights
  • Rich asymmetric mechanics
  • Dense political simulation
  • Original and engaging theme
  • High replay value
  • Multiple paths to victory
Keep in mind
  • Dense and long game
  • Heavy language dependency
  • Steep learning curve
RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step Check out our complete step-by-step rules guide.
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About the game
The Nation is falling apart — the welfare system is dismantled, capitalists are bleeding money, the middle class is fading, and the State is deep in debt. Amidst all this chaos, the only person who can turn things around is... you. Will you champion the working class and fight for social reforms? Will you embrace capitalism and the free market? Will you try to hold the government together or push your agenda no matter the cost? Hegemony is an asymmetric, political, and economic card-driven game where each player controls one of four socio-economic groups in a fictional State: Workers, Capitalists, the Middle Class, and the State itself. The Workers manage labor. The Capitalists run companies. The Middle Class can send workers to other players' companies or build their own — albeit smaller ones. The State tries to balance everything — benefits, subsidies, taxes — to avoid going broke. Each faction has its own agenda, but all are bound by a set of policies (taxation, labor market, foreign trade...) that constrain nearly every action. Voting on those policies and using influence to change them is just as important as any tactical move. The game draws from real-world principles — social democracy, neoliberalism, nationalism, globalism — and lets you experience their practical implications firsthand. There are many paths to hegemony; which one will you take? Buckle up, because this game is dense and demands patience, but for fans of deep political simulation with rich strategic options, it's an unforgettable experience.
Expansions
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Rules videos

In English

Rules manual
Rules manual — Hegemony: Lead Your Class to Victory English · PDF
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BEST PLAYER COUNT
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
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Game details

Families

Components: Meeples Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Crowdfunding: Spieleschmiede Digital Implementations: TableTop Simulator Mod (TTS) Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Game: Hegemony Players: Games with expansions that add solo play
Publisher Hegemonic Project Games, Board Game Rookie, CMON Global Limited, Giant Roc, Lavka Games, MYBG Co., Ltd.
Designer Vangelis Bagiartakis, Varnavas Timotheou
Artist Dimitris Anastasiadis, Jakub Skop, Katerina Xerovasila
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does setup take?
Depending on the group's experience, about 15-20 minutes to organize factions, cards, and the board. Setup is part of the fun, since it's already a way to learn the rules.
Does it work with 2 players or do you need 4?
It works well with 2, 3, or 4. With 2 players the focus is more intense; with 4 the negotiation and voting get way more chaotic — which is the point.
Is it hard to learn?
It has a notable learning curve. The rules look simple on paper, but the interaction between factions and policies makes the first game more exploratory. It clicks fast after that.
How long is a typical game?
Between 90 and 180 minutes, depending on player count and negotiation pace. More tactical games with heated voting tend to run longer.
What's in the box?
Action and event cards, policy board, influence markers, worker and company pieces, faction cards, and reference materials. Yes, it includes meeples.
Do I need to understand English to play?
Almost. There's quite a bit of text on cards and components. Without a full translation it gets tricky. If your group has intermediate English, you can manage — but a translation helps a lot.
Is it for me?
If you love political simulation, enjoy heavy negotiation, and aren't afraid of something dense, go for it. If you prefer light and fast games, this one isn't for you.