The Anarchy

Garphill Games, CHUR GAMES, Pixie Games · Board game · 2025
1–4 · best 1 Solo 60–90 min Weight 3.9/5
8.2 rating Ludopedia
8.4 rating BGG
Buy
8.2 rating Ludopedia
8.4 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy strategy games with a medieval theme and aren't intimidated by a bit of complexity, "The Anarchy" is quite the catch! It's a total immersion into the English civil war, with tactical decisions that make a real difference.

Highlights
  • Deep historical immersion
  • Layered strategy
  • Excellent solo mode
  • Clever multi-use cards
Keep in mind
  • Initial learning curve
  • Can be tense
  • Requires planning
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Prepare to dive into the turbulent England of 1135! Following the death of King Henry I without a male heir, the country plunges into a brutal civil war known as "The Anarchy." You and your friends take on the roles of English nobles who must choose a side: support Empress Matilda or King Stephen. In "The Anarchy," each of the five rounds is an intense battle for loyalty and power.

Your goal is to strengthen your own domain, defending it against rival armies while simultaneously expanding your influence by attacking enemy strongholds. To achieve this, you'll use multi-use cards, develop your technology, and wisely manage your resources. The game combines domain building, tactical combat, and resource management in an engaging way. The player who proves to be the king's most loyal and powerful ally, accumulating points for bravery, loyalty, and influence while keeping discontent in check, will emerge victorious, earning the largest earldom.

With mechanics like action chaining, income, multi-use cards, and tech track development, "The Anarchy" offers a deep and strategic experience. The use of paper and pencil to record progress adds an interesting tactical touch, and the solo play option ensures fun for everyone. It's a game that demands planning and adaptation, perfect for those who enjoy challenges in medieval historical settings.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

6 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–4 players
1 BEST
2 REC
3 OK
4 OK

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Categories

Families

Country: England Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Mechanism: Flip-and-Write Players: Games with Solitaire Rules Series: Ancient Anthology (Garphill Games)
Publisher Garphill Games, CHUR GAMES, Pixie Games, Renegade Game Studios, Schwerkraft-Verlag, Tesla Games
Designer Bobby Hill
Artist Sam Phillips

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the average playtime for "The Anarchy"?
A game typically lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the number of players and their familiarity with the rules.
How many players can participate?
The game is designed for 1 to 4 players, making it suitable for solo play as well as small groups.
Is the game very complicated to learn?
It has a medium-high complexity rating (3.86/5 on BGG), indicating that it requires some dedication to master all the rules and strategies, but the experience is rewarding.
Do I need to know English to play?
The national version announced by Mosaico Jogos has very little text on cards and components, making it easily memorizable or adaptable. The English version is also considered to have low language dependency.
Is it a war game or more of a management game?
It's a mix! You need to manage your resources and develop your domain, but you also engage in combat and attacks, so it has elements of both.
Who would you recommend "The Anarchy" to?
We highly recommend it to fans of strategy games with historical themes, especially medieval ones, who appreciate mechanics like resource management, track development, and multi-use cards. Players who enjoy a good solo mode will also really like it.

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