Psycho Raiders

Blast City Games, Emperors of Eternal Evil · Board game · 2014
— Ludopedia 7.8 BGG 2–7 · best 7 45 min Weight 2.8/5
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— rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS

If you're a fan of intense horror movies and don't mind a game that puts you at a disadvantage from the start, Psycho Raiders is your jam! It's not about balance, but about the brutal immersion of a desperate escape. The experience is visceral, tense, and will make you feel the adrenaline of being in a 70s slasher film. It's a game that challenges you to survive against all odds, and with every decision, the tension only mounts.

Highlights
  • Total horror immersion
  • Constant, palpable tension
  • Grindhouse film simulation
  • Extreme survival challenge
  • Visceral and unique experience
Keep in mind
  • Very mature content
  • Somewhat unbalanced rules
  • Requires component copies
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready for a trip to 1978, where four innocent friends – Steve, Randy, Ginger, and Dawn – set out for a Halloween camping trip near a small town. Their car breaks down, and what was supposed to be a quiet night turns into a nightmare of pure terror when they encounter the dreaded Psycho Raiders. Once these maniacs are on your trail, the hunt is to the death, and the chances of surviving this Halloween night are slim. <br><br>Psycho Raiders doesn't aim for perfect balance, but rather a visceral and terrifying simulation, inspired by classic 70s grindhouse films. Characters and situations are deliberately unbalanced to replicate the brutality of a real encounter. Initially, the Raiders have an overwhelming advantage against unprepared campers. But don't despair! Campers can try to turn the tables by finding weapons or alerting the population of the nearby town of Crucible. The problem is that not all residents are trustworthy, and some might be Raiders in disguise! Perhaps the best strategy is to run... run as fast as you can! <br><br>This is a tactical hex-and-counter game, where each token represents an individual character with their own stats for speed, strength, and will to live. In a shorter game, campers can win if they manage to escape through the north end of the map undetected. It's an intense experience and rated X, so it's strictly forbidden for anyone under 18. Pregnant individuals or players with a fragile or nervous disposition are strongly advised not to play. Oh, and you'll need to photocopy some elements and have two D6 dice and pencils on hand to dive into this horror!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–7 players
2 REC
3 REC
4 REC
5 REC
6 REC
7 BEST

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Components: Official Music Soundtrack Holidays: Halloween
Publisher Blast City Games, Emperors of Eternal Evil
Designer Jochen Hartmann, Mat Brinkman, Nate Hayden
Artist Charlie Fogel, Commode Ministrels in Bullface, Joseph Lunders, Manifester, MarderIII, Putrid, Wizard333

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

559owners
267wishlist
72want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the main objective in Psycho Raiders?
The main objective for the campers is to survive and escape the map, ideally through the north side and undetected. For the Raiders, the goal is to hunt down and eliminate all campers.
How many players can participate and what is the average duration?
Psycho Raiders can be played by 2 to 7 players, and a game typically lasts between 45 and 45 minutes. It's a relatively quick but intense game.
Is it a complex game for beginners?
With a BGG weight of 2.8182/5, Psycho Raiders is considered medium complexity. The rules are accessible, but the experience is more about immersion and tension than deep mechanical complexity.
What components are needed to play?
In addition to what comes in the 'Halloween Nightmares Horrorgame Magazine', you will need to photocopy some game elements, and also provide two D6 dice and pencils for character notes.
Who is Psycho Raiders recommended for?
This game is HIGHLY recommended for fans of classic 70s horror films who seek an immersive and visceral experience, without minding an intentional imbalance to heighten tension. It is strictly for ages 18 and up.
Does the game focus on balance between the sides?
No, the primary focus of Psycho Raiders is to simulate an authentic horror experience, inspired by grindhouse films. The game is intentionally unbalanced at the start, giving the Raiders an advantage to create a sense of desperation and challenge for the campers.

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