The Rose King

db-Spiele, KOSMOS, 999 Games · Board game · 1992
2 · best 2 30 min Weight 1.9/5
7.8 rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BGG
Buy
7.8 rating Ludopedia
6.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict

If you enjoy abstract strategy games with quick duels and a touch of hand management, The Rose King is a sure bet! It's the kind of game that seems simple but hides tactical depth.

Highlights
  • Quick and tense duel
  • Clever abstract strategy
  • Easy to learn
  • Engaging medieval theme
Keep in mind
  • Can feel a bit abstract
  • Card-dependent
  • Low direct interaction
RECOMMENDED
Rules manual not indexed yet Upload the PDF rulebook to ask questions about this game with AI.
About the game
Get ready for a strategic duel on the board with The Rose King! Originally released as Texas, this game has been reimagined with a medieval theme recalling the Wars of the Roses, where the houses of Lancaster and York vie for power. The premise is simple, but the tactics are deep: you and your opponent control a single pawn that moves across a 9x9 square grid. Each player has a hand of cards with directions and distances, and each turn, you decide whether to draw more cards or play one to move the pawn. Upon landing on a square, you place one of your markers, aiming to create contiguous regions. The twist? The judge, a special power usable once, allows you to flip an opponent's marker and take control of the area. But beware of the hand limit – being forced to play can compromise your strategy! Scoring is calculated by the square of your region sizes, encouraging careful expansion. The Rose King is an abstract area control game with a touch of hand management and tactical positioning, perfect for those who enjoy quick, intelligent duels. The reimagined Kosmos version places it within their popular two-player game series, appealing to fans of history and strategy.
Rules videos

In English

BEST PLAYER COUNT
2 BEST
WHERE TO BUY
Finding best prices...
Game details

Families

Components: 9 x 9 Grids Digital Implementations: Yucata History: Wars of the Roses Players: Two-Player Only Games Series: L.BOARD (Playte) Series: Two-player games (Kosmos)
Publisher db-Spiele, KOSMOS, 999 Games, OPEN'N PLAY, Playte, Tilsit, White Goblin Games
Designer Dirk Henn
Artist Andreas Steiner, Anke Pohl, Claus Stephan, Tanja Donner, Thilo Rick, Wanjin Gill
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play The Rose King?
The Rose King is strictly a two-player game.
How long does a game take?
A game of The Rose King is quite quick, usually lasting around 30 minutes.
What is the game's complexity?
The complexity is considered low to medium. The rules are simple, but the strategy can be quite deep.
Does the game have a theme?
Yes, it has a medieval theme reminiscent of the Wars of the Roses, with the houses of Lancaster and York vying for control.
Is it more of a tactical or strategic game?
It's a game that blends tactics (immediate movement and card play) with strategy (long-term planning to create regions and control the board).
Who would you recommend The Rose King to?
We recommend it for those who enjoy two-player abstract games, quick duels, and games with few rules but many decisions.