Hidden Leaders

BFF Games, Board Game Circus, Bumble3ee Interactive · Board game · 2022
2–6 · best 4 20–40 min Weight 1.8/5
7.6 rating Ludopedia
6.7 rating BGG
Buy
7.6 rating Ludopedia
6.7 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you enjoy deduction and bluffing games with a dash of tableau building and direct interaction, Hidden Leaders is a sure bet! It's that quick game that keeps you thinking and laughing at everyone else's moves.

Highlights
  • Constant tension and deduction
  • Fast and easy to learn
  • Fun art and theme
  • Direct and clever interaction
Keep in mind
  • Can get chaotic at times
  • Table dependent
  • Low strategic depth
RECOMMENDED
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About the game
The Emperor's throne is vacant, and the island of Oshra is in turmoil! The Hill Tribes and the Imperial Army are on the brink of war, while the Water People try to keep the peace and the Undead just want to see the world burn. Amidst this chaos, six imperial heirs vie for power, but who will actually claim the throne? In Hidden Leaders, you are one of these heirs, with a secret: you're allied with two of the four warring factions. Your goal is to ensure the faction you have the most heroes with emerges victorious, all without revealing your true allegiance! To achieve this, you play hero cards into your personal tableau, either openly or secretly, influencing the course of the war. Victory can be achieved in various ways: dominance by Red or Green, a balance between the two favoring Blue, or even total chaos where Red and Green go to war, benefiting Black. Each player aligned with the winning faction can claim the throne, provided they have more heroes of that color than any other player. It's a fast-paced and strategic game with plenty of interaction and tension, where deduction and bluffing go hand-in-hand. Get ready to guess the intentions of others while protecting your own, all wrapped up in a super fun art style that's sure to bring a smile to your face!
Rules videos

In English

BEST PLAYER COUNT
2 OK
3 REC
4 BEST
5 REC
6 OK
WHERE TO BUY
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Game details

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Digital Implementations: Board Game Arena Digital Implementations: TableTop Simulator Mod (TTS) Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Game: Hidden Leaders
Publisher BFF Games, Board Game Circus, Bumble3ee Interactive, Galakta, Galápagos Jogos, Gam'inBIZ, Geekach LLC, Grimfield Games, Little Rocket Games, Lotus Frog Games, Matagot, Meeple On Board, Niza Gams, Reflexshop, Rexhry, Surfin' Meeple, Surfin' Meeple China
Designer Andreas Müller, Markus Müller (II), Raphael Stocker
Artist Satoshi Matsuura
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play Hidden Leaders?
Hidden Leaders is for 2 to 6 players. It plays well at various counts, but the dynamic shifts a bit with more people at the table.
How long does a game of Hidden Leaders take?
A game of Hidden Leaders is quite quick, usually lasting between 20 and 40 minutes. Perfect for fitting into any game night!
Is Hidden Leaders difficult to learn?
No, the rules are quite straightforward! You'll get the hang of it in about 10-15 minutes. The complexity lies more in the decisions and in figuring out others' secrets.
Does the game have a lot of player interaction?
Yes! Hidden Leaders is full of interaction. You'll be playing cards to influence the game, trying to guess who's who, and of course, hindering others when you can.
Is it more of a luck or strategy game?
It's a mix! There's an element of luck with the cards you draw, but strategy and the ability to deduce and bluff are much more important for victory.
Who would you recommend Hidden Leaders to?
I'd recommend it to fans of social deduction games, like Coup or The Resistance, but who want something with a bit more tableau building and less 'shouting match'. Great for those looking for something light, fast, and full of twists.