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Hidden Leaders box art

Hidden Leaders

Game ID: GID0158195
Game Info
Year
2022
Players
2-6
Age
12+
Playtime
30 min
Collection
Your Tier
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Description

The island of Oshra is in turmoil. Following the death of the Emperor, the conflict between the Hill Tribes and the Imperial Army escalated. While the Water People try to maintain balance between the old rivals, the Undead aim to escalate the war. All hope rests on the six children of the Emperor: Who of them will claim the throne?

In Hidden Leaders, you take the role of one of six secret leaders, each of them is allied with two of the four factions/colors. By playing heroes into your tableau, either openly or secretly, you influence the outcome of the conflict.

At the end of the game, one of the four factions will win:

Red leading > Red victory
Green leading > Green victory
Tie between Red & Green > Blue victory
Red & Green in War Zone > Black victory

Each player who is aligned with the winning faction can claim the victory. However, they must have more heroes of this color than any competitor.

Hidden Leaders is a quick, light strategy card game with direct player interaction. It combines tableau building and deduction elements with its unique winning mechanism. This is a game of great tension with no-down time, that’s fast to learn. Its distinctive artwork and character names will make you smile.

—description from designer

Description

The island of Oshra is in turmoil. Following the death of the Emperor, the conflict between the Hill Tribes and the Imperial Army escalated. While the Water People try to maintain balance between the old rivals, the Undead aim to escalate the war. All hope rests on the six children of the Emperor: Who of them will claim the throne?

In Hidden Leaders, you take the role of one of six secret leaders, each of them is allied with two of the four factions/colors. By playing heroes into your tableau, either openly or secretly, you influence the outcome of the conflict.

At the end of the game, one of the four factions will win:

Red leading > Red victory
Green leading > Green victory
Tie between Red & Green > Blue victory
Red & Green in War Zone > Black victory

Each player who is aligned with the winning faction can claim the victory. However, they must have more heroes of this color than any competitor.

Hidden Leaders is a quick, light strategy card game with direct player interaction. It combines tableau building and deduction elements with its unique winning mechanism. This is a game of great tension with no-down time, that’s fast to learn. Its distinctive artwork and character names will make you smile.

—description from designer

Ask a Rules Question
All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 18
This page: 18
Sentiment: pos 13 · mix 1 · neu 0 · neg 1
Mentions per page
Showing 1–18 of 18
Video HuKh4dXmGWo Brains On Games Rules Teach at 0:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 90507 · mention_pk 241919
Brains On Games - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Stylish artwork and thematic flavor
  • Short playtime (~30 minutes) with 2-6 players
  • Accessible introduction to a push-pull mechanic
  • Hidden leader concept adds deduction and tension
  • Cheat sheets provide quick reference to icons and victory conditions
Cons
  • Prototype nature means art, components, and rules may change
  • Two-player games can make hiding motives more challenging
  • Cognitive load and memorization required can be demanding
  • Final weight and official rules may differ from prototype
Thematic elements
  • Faction manipulation and political power struggles among rival groups
  • Island of Oshra
  • Hidden identity with backstory leaders and faction-aligned goals
Comparison games
  • Takanoko
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • board_layout_and_resources — Board has Harbor (draw pile), Tavern (three face-up cards), Graveyard (discarded heroes shown), and Wilderness (face-down discard).
  • card_abilities_and_timing — Playing or flipping cards can activate abilities; transformations can move tokens and progress toward victory.
  • end_game_trigger — Game ends when a player has a certain number of heroes in their party (eight for two players, seven for three/four).
  • faction_win_conditions — Four factions each have unique victory conditions tied to positions on a power track.
  • Hand Management — Players start with five cards, discard to wilderness, and draw up to four; some cards adjust hand size or grant actions.
  • hand_management — Players start with five cards, discard to wilderness, and draw up to four; some cards adjust hand size or grant actions.
  • hidden_identity — Each player receives a hidden leader allied with two factions; identity remains secret to others.
  • hidden_party_and_tie_breaking — One hidden card is discarded face-down in wilderness; if heroes tie, hidden heroes count toward the winner.
  • memory_and_deduction — The game heavily involves working memory and deduction as players track rival intentions and plan moves.
  • Multi-Use Cards — Playing or flipping cards can activate abilities; transformations can move tokens and progress toward victory.
  • power_track_movement — Two power tokens (imperial army and hill tribes) move along a shared power track, influenced by hero cards.
  • push_pull_and_shared_control — Pieces (power tokens) are moved by all players, implementing a push-pull dynamic similar to Tak.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's a prototype so the art and the components might change even the rules might change a little bit by the time this game comes out
  • I am a sucker for stylish art and this one has it in spades
  • the art on these cards i really enjoy
  • it's a great introduction to the push-pull mechanic that you see in some board games where everybody's controlling the same pieces
  • it plays in about half an hour
  • it's coming up on kickstarter very very soon
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video jmsOjqmiyLw Gaming with Edo & Jessica Review at 0:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89681 · mention_pk 238565
Gaming with Edo & Jessica - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Fantastic art
  • Great box quality
  • Nicely done rules and components
  • Great cards
  • Fantastic game overall
Cons
  • Host doesn't consider it a deduction game despite deduction elements being present.
Thematic elements
Comparison games
  • Citadels
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Card Drafting — Implied by the way players use faction cards to influence marker movement and gain bonuses.
  • Deduction — Players try to deduce what conditions other players are aiming for with the movement of two markers on a tracker.
  • Set Collection — Players collect cards from different factions which influence their goals.
  • Tableau Building — Players play cards in front of them in a tableau that influence their own stuff and potentially the tracker.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • hey everybody edo here and this is hidden leaders by bff games
  • art by um satoshi matsura is fantastic
  • the game is fantastic
  • it has a citadel feel i love citadels
  • but it does feel different and it does have that semi-deduction layer
  • anyway this is hidden leaders
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video LNRKAjbl8N0 kovray Top 10 List at 7:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89449 · mention_pk 237489
kovray - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 7:27 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Clever deduction with layered mechanics
  • Nice expansion potential
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • deduction, social deduction, and card play with icon shifting
  • factions with hidden leaders
Comparison games
  • Search for Planet X
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • card_play_and_icon_shifting — Card play and shifting icons provide strategic depth.
  • hidden_leader_and_faction_influence — Players attempt to sway factions while pursuing their hidden leader's objectives.
  • Melding and Splaying — Card play and shifting icons provide strategic depth.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's a huge blast if you love crunchy crunchy roller mates
  • we played 64 games and 81 times all in the span of nine days
  • they came all the way over to Edmonton to play a lot of games
  • it's just like really wholesome
  • this is top ten games of Wallacon according to Ilya and Tyler
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video v5B2nyp3zcM Meeple University Discussion at 19:35 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89452 · mention_pk 237519
Meeple University - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 19:35 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Promising hidden movement/deduction flavor
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Hidden leaders (Matagot/Glossal Games collaboration)
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • cooperative game due to four players
  • this is turing machine we actually have how to play video this is a puzzle deduction game
  • it's really cute
  • not as rotationally heavy
  • two to six players
  • dexterity game
  • real time
  • pop-up book pop-up book
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6MqvgvD7bpY Gaming with Edo & Jessica Analysis at 0:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89271 · mention_pk 236859
Gaming with Edo & Jessica - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Adds three different modules that can be integrated one by one.
  • Modules are simple and easy to integrate.
  • Guardian module adds a new faction and win condition.
  • Artifact cards provide cool, dynamic special abilities.
  • Corruption cards enhance deduction and hidden information.
  • Art work is still fantastic.
  • Adds a lot of pressure and new dynamics to the game.
Cons
  • Would not use all modules together at once for a first play.
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Faction Control — Players aim for specific factions to come out on top, and some expansion elements can change a hero's faction color.
  • Hidden Information — The corruption cards have a hidden side, and players must deduce the specific benefit or faction affiliation.
  • Modular expansion — The game is an expansion that adds three distinct modules to the base game, which can be integrated individually or in combination.
  • Track progression — The guardian module involves a token that moves along a track, influencing the win condition.
  • Variable player powers — Artifact cards grant players unique, limited-use abilities.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • hey everybody edo here and this is hidden leaders forgotten legends
  • this is hidden leaders forgotten legends
  • hey everybody edo here and thanks for watching gaming with edo reviews over here on this playlist league and insider videos over here on this one subscribe share all that good stuff but most importantly play some great games thanks bye
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 6MqvgvD7bpY Gaming with Edo & Jessica Analysis at 0:17 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89271 · mention_pk 236860
Gaming with Edo & Jessica - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:17 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • hey everybody edo here and this is hidden leaders forgotten legends
  • this is hidden leaders forgotten legends
  • hey everybody edo here and thanks for watching gaming with edo reviews over here on this playlist league and insider videos over here on this one subscribe share all that good stuff but most importantly play some great games thanks bye
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video IzBLjkFgxi4 Gaming with Edo & Jessica Top List at 4:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 89092 · mention_pk 236087
Gaming with Edo & Jessica - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 4:27 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Gorgeous looking game
  • Great execution
  • Great style
  • Added fun to an already enjoyed game
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Building a tableau with hidden victory conditions
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • hidden victory conditions — There are 'like some hidden Victory conditions as you're playing'.
  • Modular expansion — Features three modules that can be added to the game.
  • Tableau Building — Players are 'building out your Tableau'.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • um my top five Kickstarter games now I'm coming in number five is floating floors
  • um so coming in at number four is 14 frantic minutes
  • um so then numb coming in at number three uh is hidden leaders forgotten Legends
  • um so coming in at number two was a small game called philosophy
  • um is leaf by Tim Eisner and weird City games
  • please keep making fantastic beautiful welcoming nature games that's a great thing
  • I think everyone's doing great from this entire list but like come on Tim keep at it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video VMYUVy3QeSA kovray Challenge at 15:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 88919 · mention_pk 235359
kovray - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 15:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Very fun
  • Higher player count
  • Nice social deduction
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Deduction — Deduction is a piece but it's a very nice kind of social deduction card game.
  • Social Deduction — It's a very nice kind of social deduction card game.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • parade because it's a cute card game that we I wanted parade and I hope it fits in the spot that I want it to fit but we'll see
  • Arboretum it's another classic card game very fun a lot of enjoyment
  • I think I have to Mulligan Castle party there's no way for it to fit it doesn't fit
  • because Trails is fun
  • I'm gonna pick Cat Cafe instead very it's a it's another um rolling right but it's also very fun so
  • I'll take Town 66 it's an oink game hooray taking all the Oink games yeah because I know they'll fit
  • it's where you try to draw and you spot the difference it's very fun but I'm afraid that it won't fit
  • small box perfect for the cube
  • this is the bust for me I think I'm gonna take that's pretty clever and if it doesn't fit in my shelf it doesn't fit
  • it did not fit
  • I for sure thought that space of the top would have been perfect and then I would have grabbed all filled in the cracks of everything else I thought I could pull off
  • no maybe trying to take that's pretty clever when I knew it wasn't gonna fit because I could have fit like a couple smaller games in yeah way more games in but that's my own fault for being greedy
  • I like my Cube so I wouldn't change anything
  • which Cube do you prefer whose game night would you come to mine or Tyler's
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video CaxFwQapEww Meeple University Review
video_pk 69989 · mention_pk 166885
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's a very clever game
  • this is a game of quick card play
  • you can lie about what cards underneath you
  • tug of war
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video CaxFwQapEww Meeple University Review at 0:26 sentiment: positive
video_pk 69989 · mention_pk 237113
Meeple University - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:26 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • clever game design
  • quick, simple actions leading to rapid progression
  • great balance of information hiding and deduction
  • deck size provides flexibility and many options each turn
  • works with six players and becomes faster with familiarity
  • upcoming expansion anticipated
Cons
  • first game can drag as players learn rules
  • learning curve initially can slow down early play
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Card Drafting — On your turn you play a card from your hand into your collection of heroes; some cards can be played face down with effects not immediately triggered.
  • card drafting/playing — On your turn you play a card from your hand into your collection of heroes; some cards can be played face down with effects not immediately triggered.
  • Deck management and card flow — End of turn draws up to four cards from the top or via tavern; discard down to three and reveal the next card; cards can come from multiple piles.
  • Deck Manipulation — End of turn draws up to four cards from the top or via tavern; discard down to three and reveal the next card; cards can come from multiple piles.
  • End-game trigger and tiebreakers — End game triggers based on the number of face-up hero cards relative to players; multiple tie-breakers exist.
  • Hidden objectives with shared objectives — Players begin with a hidden leader and aim to meet a faction's win condition, with multiple players pursuing different objectives.
  • Hidden Victory Points — Two faction markers are advanced; victory is determined by one faction reaching a threshold before the other colors.
  • Marker-based victory conditions — Two faction markers are advanced; victory is determined by one faction reaching a threshold before the other colors.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's a very clever game
  • this is a game of quick card play
  • you can lie about what cards underneath you
  • tug of war
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video u-OLJ9OXLR8 kovray Review
video_pk 68855 · mention_pk 165149
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Everything you see is a prototype
  • Queens best friends
  • do you absolutely love Satoshi Matsura's art because I do
  • Guardians are really neat
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video sOJiYPGaoQ0 kovray Merit Preview
video_pk 68900 · mention_pk 165194
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
none
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the artwork in this game the characters in this game are absolutely phenomenal you can honestly pick a character and just build a story out of them
  • it's easy and accessible to pick up because essentially what you're doing is playing a card and drawing more cards
  • you have to pay attention to what everybody else is doing
  • this game definitely teaches you to be like stop ilya don't play the card wait to the last moment because this card can win you the game
  • it's one of those games where you really you just have to set it up and then draw play and read the card it's pretty simple
  • the endgame is really exciting and there are definitely cards that interact with other players that can throw them off
  • six hidden leaders and each of them have two different factions
  • it's a showdown at the very end
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video sOJiYPGaoQ0 kovray Merit Preview at 0:35 sentiment: positive
video_pk 68900 · mention_pk 241958
kovray - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:35 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Easy to learn and quick to play
  • Strong art and storytelling potential
  • High replayability due to multiple leaders and win conditions
  • Active player interaction and bluffing adds tension
  • Endgame tension and dramatic moments
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Throne succession, faction balance, and political intrigue within a divided kingdom.
  • The kingdom is in turmoil since the emperor has just passed away and there is a battle for the throne among the six children he left behind.
  • Hidden identities and faction alignment influence outcomes; players act from the shadows.
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • bluffing_social_deduction — Players may deceive others about their alignment or intentions to influence outcomes.
  • card_play_and_action — On your turn you play a card to move markers, uncover heroes, or disrupt opponents; then draw and manage hand according to rules.
  • end_condition_and_tiebreaker — Game ends when a player has the required number of active heroes; tiebreakers involve faction alignment and hero counts.
  • hidden_leader — Each player has a hidden leader card that aligns with a faction and helps determine victory.
  • Set Collection — Players collect cards to form useful sets; cards activate to affect multiple players or outcomes.
  • set_collection_and_activation — Players collect cards to form useful sets; cards activate to affect multiple players or outcomes.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the artwork in this game the characters in this game are absolutely phenomenal you can honestly pick a character and just build a story out of them
  • it's easy and accessible to pick up because essentially what you're doing is playing a card and drawing more cards
  • you have to pay attention to what everybody else is doing
  • this game definitely teaches you to be like stop ilya don't play the card wait to the last moment because this card can win you the game
  • it's one of those games where you really you just have to set it up and then draw play and read the card it's pretty simple
  • the endgame is really exciting and there are definitely cards that interact with other players that can throw them off
  • six hidden leaders and each of them have two different factions
  • it's a showdown at the very end
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video u-OLJ9OXLR8 kovray Review at 2:13 sentiment: positive
video_pk 68855 · mention_pk 237144
kovray - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 2:13 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Excellent at six players; high player count adds depth
  • Layered mechanics create interesting strategic dynamics
  • Expansion improves two-player play
  • Strong thematic integration and universe flavor
Cons
  • Not ideal for two players without expansion involvement
  • Tiebreakers require attention to card colors and counts
Thematic elements
Comparison games
  • University
  • Hidden Leaders (base game)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • End condition via hero cards — After a certain number of hero cards have been played for the player count, the game ends.
  • Faction-based victory with tiebreaker — The position of two markers determines the winning faction; if tied, the tied player with the most Heroes of the winning faction wins.
  • Hero card influence — Players influence the power of Imperial cards by playing hero cards.
  • Hidden leader selection — Each player takes a roll of one of the six hidden leaders and is aligned with two of the four factions.
  • Hidden Victory Points — The position of two markers determines the winning faction; if tied, the tied player with the most Heroes of the winning faction wins.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Everything you see is a prototype
  • Queens best friends
  • do you absolutely love Satoshi Matsura's art because I do
  • Guardians are really neat
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video qNLYHZa8k-U Review at 0:15 sentiment: positive
video_pk 67780 · mention_pk 164041
Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:15 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Interplay of hidden elements makes it unique.
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • conflict between factions after the emperor's passing, with factions including hill tribes, the imperial army, water people, and the undead.
  • the island of Ashra
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • area influence — Players play hero cards to influence the power of factions, which in turn influences markers that determine factional victory.
  • Card Play — Players play hero cards and perform their abilities.
  • Secret roles — Each player takes on the role of one of six secret leaders.
  • Set Collection — Enlisting heroes helps fulfill victory conditions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Welcome to the island of Ashra, where unfortunately the emperor has passed and the conflict between the hill tribes, the imperial army has escalated. The water people are trying to maintain the balance and the old rivals, the undead, aim to cause an outright war.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video s7z-PF9khY0 Chairman of the Board Discussion at 11:31 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 11139 · mention_pk 32762
Chairman of the Board - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 11:31 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
  • Kickstarter-backed title; potential
Cons
  • Speaker was unhappy with the review and sold the copy
Thematic elements
  • Hidden roles/leadership dynamics
  • Kickstarter project; leadership themes
  • unknown
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • hidden roles/bluffing — not fully described in transcript; speaker mentions review was negative
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • "Caesar sees Rome in 20 minutes"
  • "this is like the spiritual successor or at least a sister game or a partner game to paulo maurice blitzkrieg"
  • "I believe you're investing in these companies these companies can merge with each other so it's just all about making profit"
  • "Detective Club and the expansion"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video -cFShq1KvQY Before You Play Rules Teach at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7783 · mention_pk 22972
Before You Play - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Hidden leaders mechanic fosters deception and social deduction without explicit name-calling or direct accusations
  • Four factions with two-faction alignment per leader adds depth and strategic ambiguity
  • Highly variable card effects create interesting combos and board interactions
  • Graveyard resurrection and wild-card interactions add tactical timing and flexibility
  • Prototype status is acknowledged with balance tweaks and final artwork ready
Cons
  • Prototype copy means balance and card selections may change in the final production
  • Complexity may be a barrier for new players due to hidden information and multiple factions
  • Tracking and managing markers and face-up/face-down heroes requires careful attention during play
Thematic elements
  • political intrigue, hidden identities, faction balance, and public tracking of influence on a central board
  • The emperor has died and four factions (Water/Blu e, Undead/Grey, Empire/Red, Tribes/Green) vie for control; players are hidden leaders loyal to two factions.
  • deception-forward, track-driven victory condition with hidden information
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • card-driven board manipulation — Cards move faction markers on a central tracker, affecting end-game conditions and which faction wins.
  • Deck Manipulation — Cards move faction markers on a central tracker, affecting end-game conditions and which faction wins.
  • End Game Bonuses — In a two-player game, the game ends when a player has a certain number of face-up heroes; in larger games, multiple end conditions interact with tracked markers.
  • end-game trigger via face-up heroes — In a two-player game, the game ends when a player has a certain number of face-up heroes; in larger games, multiple end conditions interact with tracked markers.
  • graveyard and resurrection — Heroes can be killed (moved to a graveyard) and resurrected via card effects, expanding strategic options.
  • Hand Management — Players start with a hand of five cards, discard into a wilderness, and play cards face down or resolve them for board effects.
  • Hand management and drafting — Players start with a hand of five cards, discard into a wilderness, and play cards face down or resolve them for board effects.
  • Hidden Roles — Each player is secretly assigned a hidden leader affiliated with two factions; others do not know which leaders belong to whom.
  • tavern/harbor pools and wilderness discard — Frontline and backline pools provide face-up cards, while discards go to wilderness to balance hand size and options.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the emperor has died
  • it's a two to six player social deduction game hidden roles
  • we're not quite sure which way we're going to go right until the very end
  • nobody knows who each other's hidden leader is
  • please let us know if you have any questions about how to play the game or anything about the campaign
  • thank you all so much for watching the video we hope you enjoyed it
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video zpCpiLHDgEY Chairman of the Board Discussion at 6:00 sentiment: negative
video_pk 1275 · mention_pk 3705
Chairman of the Board - Hidden Leaders video thumbnail
Click to watch at 6:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
  • Beautiful artwork
  • interesting theme and concept
Cons
  • Gameplay can become tedious and predictable
  • Push-pull can feel unrewarding
Thematic elements
  • hidden agendas and manipulation
  • tug-of-war with hidden objectives
  • competitive, hidden-info play
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • hidden objectives — each player has secret goals influencing their moves
  • high interactivity back-and-forth — tedious back-and-forth play when opposing objectives align
  • Tug of War — moving pieces along a shared track toward agreed endpoints
  • tug-of-war track movement — moving pieces along a shared track toward agreed endpoints
Video topics + discussion points
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  • the production and the visual aesthetic of the game was absolutely stunning
  • the decisions were relatively uninteresting and pretty obvious once you've groked the game
  • one and done style game so once you've done one of the missions you've experienced it can't go play it again
  • it's a gorgeous looking game
  • the money in this game, particularly in the first half was extremely tight
  • this game's out there that I enjoy more that are faster they're a bit more succinct
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