7.4
rating
Ludopedia
6.5
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
If you love conspiracies, dark humor, and a good dose of strategic chaos, get ready to rule the world with Illuminati! It's a classic that's hilariously fun.
Highlights
- Intrigue and dark humor
- Unique society powers
- Player interaction
- Updated edition
Keep in mind
- High language dependency
- Can be chaotic
- Rules can be confusing
FOR GENRE FANS
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Get ready to take over the world in Illuminati, the classic Steve Jackson game where you lead a secret society! The mission? Spread your tendrils into special interest groups, control the planet, and, of course, laugh about it all. This updated edition features refreshed graphics and extra cards to give the gameplay a new boost. Each player takes on the role of a shadowy organization, using cards to expand their influence, attack rivals, and defend their domains. The mechanics involve everything from dice rolling for luck, building power networks, and strategic card selection in an open draft. Tile placement helps visualize the world control map, and each secret society's unique powers ensure no two games are alike. It's a game that demands negotiation, a bit of bluffing, and plenty of cunning to navigate the conspiracies and dominate the board. If you enjoy conspiracy themes, dark humor, and a good dose of player interaction, Illuminati is a sure bet for game nights filled with laughter and intrigue. It's one of those games that, despite its age, is still incredibly fun and shows how taking over the world can be hilarious (and a bit chaotic!).
GALLERY
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In English
2
OK
3
REC
4
BEST
5
REC
6
REC
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Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Steve Jackson Games, Descartes Editeur, Devir, Edge Entertainment, Finnish Game House, Laurin Verlag, Pegasus Spiele, Queen Games, Raven Distribution, Ubik
Designer
Steve Jackson (I)
Artist
C. Mara Lee, Carl Manz, Cliff Van Meter, Czeslaw Sornat, Dan Smith, Dave Martin, David Martin (II), Frank Gerwin, Jeffrey D. George, John Grigni, Lar DeSouza, Shea Ryan
What is the average playtime for Illuminati?
Games can vary significantly, but expect something between 60 and 180 minutes, depending on the number of players and how quickly you all conspire.
Is Illuminati a difficult game to learn?
It has moderate complexity (2.65/5 on BGG). The rules might seem a bit confusing at first, but with careful reading and perhaps a practice round, the gameplay flows well.
How many players can participate?
The game is for 2 to 6 players. It works well with different numbers, but the negotiation and attack dynamics change considerably with more people at the table.
Do I need to know English to play?
Yes, this is one of the biggest caveats. The game has a very high language dependency, with many cards that need to be read to understand actions and effects. It's essential to have a version with Portuguese text or someone who can translate on the fly.
What comes in the box?
The latest edition includes cards with updated graphics and some extra components to give the classic game a new lease on life. Basically, you have a deck of cards representing the world and the secret societies.
Who would you recommend Illuminati to?
We recommend it for those who enjoy games with conspiracy themes, satirical humor, lots of interaction, and a touch of randomness. If you don't mind the language dependency and enjoy games that make you think and laugh, it could be a great choice!