HMS Dolores

asmodee, Granna, Lui-même · Board game · 2016

7.0 Ludopedia 6.1 BGG 2–4 · best 3 20 min Weight 1.3/5

Buy · from US$ 7.07

7.0 rating Ludopedia

6.1 rating BGG

Buy · from US$ 7.07

Our Verdict

FOR GENRE FANS

If you enjoy quick negotiation games with a 'who will betray whom?' vibe, HMS Dolores is the right pick! It's the kind of game that sparks lots of laughs and heated debates about who outsmarted whom.

Highlights

Direct pirate interaction
Quick, tense decisions
Super-fast games
Easy to learn

Keep in mind

Can cause frustration
Luck plays a big role
Low replayability

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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready for a fierce pirate showdown in HMS Dolores! Crafted by the brilliant minds of Eric M. Lang and Bruno Faidutti, this quick-paced game is a deep dive into the prisoner's dilemma with a piratical twist. You've just looted a ship and now must decide how to split the spoils. The question is: do you cooperate and risk being outsmarted by a greedy mate, or go to war and risk losing everything? Each round reveals new treasures, and the decision rests with you and your neighbor: peace, war, or a risky first pick. If both opt for peace, the loot is shared. If war reigns, everyone loses. And if both try their luck with the first pick, the treasure vanishes, along with an extra penalty! The game continues until the Dawn Card is drawn, and believe it or not, all this happens in about 20 minutes. The goal is to amass treasures, but beware: only the types of loot you have the most and least of at the end will score points. Can you be cunning enough to walk away with the biggest share, or will you end up empty-handed?

HMS Dolores is a card game that blends negotiation and simultaneous action selection in a way that makes you ponder every move. With mechanics inspired by the prisoner's dilemma and rock-paper-scissors, it tests your ability to read your opponent and make decisions under pressure. It's perfect for those who enjoy fast games with direct interaction and a touch of unpredictability. The simplicity of the rules contrasts with the strategic depth that emerges from player interactions. If you like games that generate hearty laughs and debates about who was the cleverest (or the unluckiest), HMS Dolores is a sure bet.