Hegemony ~ I can't stop thinking about this game 🙃 | Board Game Review

Hegemony is a cunning game of political maneuvering and strategic planning, where you and your opponents represent powerful socio-economic groups in a fictional state. Will you lead the working class, the capitalists, the middle class, or the government? Will you go on strike or buy an island? With complex policies to vote on and alliances to make, every decision counts. Will you come out on top and achieve hegemony?
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Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
00:23 Theme overview (Themer)
01:01 Mechanics overview (Thinker)
05:39 I can't stop thinking about this game, it's SO thematic
09:09 The ramifications of public policy (wow)
11:56 The PERFECT amount of negotiation (for us)
14:03 The balance of the classes
15:50 Ideal at 3 players... and about the automa
22:11 Is this game for you?
25:00 Final thoughts & our ratings
27:15 Wrap up
For more information about the game: boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/3...
Thanks for stopping by for our review of Hegemony! We're Amy & Maggie aka ThinkerThemer. We're an Australian couple with two very different perspectives of what makes a great board game - Amy (Thinker) is all about the mechanics and enjoys tight, competitive games, and Maggie (Themer) is all about the storytelling and the theme of the game, and the 'world' that the designer is trying to create. Subscribe to our channel to hear us talk about these two elements of a game, and how well integrated we feel these are in delivering a cohesive and wonderful game experience.
#board games #tabletop games #thinkerthemer ❤🏳️‍🌈🇦🇺

[@styfen]

You've absolutely sold me on this game.

[@ThinkerThemer]

Glad it sounds like one for you 😊 look forward to hearing what you think!

[@someonemagical]

I played this game once and loved it! And I loved this review! I really appreciate how you cover the rules just enough then go into your thoughts and opinions. Under 30 minutes is great for a review imo. This really is one of the most thematic games out there. While it is heavy the fact that all of us are living the theme everyday (whether we like it or not) makes it so intuitive and easier to play.

[@ThinkerThemer]

Thank you for this lovely comment! We've definitely been working hard at finding a better balance of a short overview and more structured thoughts. Under 30min is such a challenge for us lollll. Thank you and completely agree that the theme makes such intuitive sense because we get exposed to all of these elements IRL! 😊

[@SuperWilliamW]

You can just feel how excited Amy feels about this game and that excitement is infectious. Now i want this game

[@rgitzelify]

I would have previously dismissed a "negotiation" game: I just assumed it's all about haggling over which cards we'll trade and such. Ug. But recently five of us played John Company at a local convention, and.... for four-plus hours we were oblivious to everything else, and it was almost all _talking_. "Will you make my uncle commander of that army if I send your sister to fill orders in the province my son controls? And really, if we don't invade the next province over, how are we going to increase the company's sales?" Fascinating, and unexpected. :-) So _this_ game now sounds quite intriguing. And a 9.1!

[@ThinkerThemer]

Thank you Rodney! This one definitely has less negotiation than John Company... you rely less on others in this one to make a change in policy happen but it just helps to get someone else on side (improves your odds!) Look forward to hearing what you think of this one 😊

[@timothyshiu8742]

So glad to hear such high praise from you both! I'm awaiting my copy and now twice as excited. I originally backed because of my interest in the theme--but I imagined there was a chance the gameplay itself might be too dry and abstract. The fact that not only you, but also your friends, have found this game as engaging as you have and kept you thinking about it afterwards makes it potentially everything I would have hoped for for it. Thanks, as always, for your enthusiasm and insights!

[@edmundward6538]

I'm obsessed with this game and have been ravenously consuming all the content about it available for months. This is the best review / discussion I've seen! Thanks for making it!

[@Larsemillarsen]

Great review. Can't fathom why I haven't found your channel before now. You two are excellent! Immediate sub

[@yosifvidelov]

For me the State is very interesting role as a balancing act and lot of responsibility for your decisions. The Agenda cards thematic is for a given mandate in the parliament the various parties vie for different policies. The more you play the State the deeper your experience gets :) Historical Events, Class goals,Variable IMF resolutions and Alternate Events for the State are a must. My Favourite game as of now. I enjoy the middle class the most as it is a challenge to win with it.

[@MamaWaffles]

I really would love to check this one out! A couple of my barriers are locating one and finding a 3rd player, since I would love to play it in its most optimal way possible. The rules, theme, objectives, and the real life implications to help people understand our real world dynamic is what makes this sound like a winner and the fact that it pulled it off. I'll have to keep an eye out for it and I'm happy that this one ended up being such a winner for y'all. Thanks for another lovely review!

[@StephenGrubb]

Yeah, I think I "need" this. :) Thanks for a great review!

[@ClaudeAndTaylor]

Wonderful video and high praise!! Excited to play this one soon! 😁✨

[@ThinkerThemer]

Well it does have cards.... 😂

[@CorvusLudos]

Very thorough and thoughtful review. Good video.

[@thelankygameruk7787]

Wonderful video - can't wait to play.

[@BoardGamingRamblings]

Getting ready to play this soon! Thank you for your thoughts! You are amazing :D

[@jgboari]

This is the review I was expecting for this game! Nice job!

[@ThinkerThemer]

Thanks so much! 😃

[@FredzGreen]

Getting my copy next week, you made my wait unbearable🤣can't wait to get it to the table! Thanks for yet another great video!

[@odgregg]

Great review that convinced me to buy it! Waiting for it to arrive.

[@Roundtablist]

Brilliant review as always, guys. I got my copy a few weeks ago and am looking forward to getting it to the table. Tiletum is taking up that space at the moment but I think that Hegemony is the likely replacement once I've finished!

[@ThinkerThemer]

Thank you!!! Hope you enjoy getting this one to the table next... look forward to hearing what you think 😊

[@DrHoffmann74]

Thank you, you had eliminate any doubt 😊😊😊

[@shelby789]

Woah - I wasn’t expecting that!! I’ve been super curious about this game but didn’t back it because I thought it would be hard for me to get it played. *Checks around for preorders* Great review as always!!

[@ThinkerThemer]

That was definitely our biggest fear and probably still is! Not sure it's a theme for everyone. Wish we could teach you!!!

[@bexserver]

The audio sounds really good in this video, nice!

[@truelifetales]

Anticipating the delivery of this one very soon - now even more excited for its arrival!

[@ThinkerThemer]

I think you'll enjoy this one! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!!! ❤️

[@FemmeSensei]

Love your videos and this one is a stellar example of how good you are at what you're doing :). Thanks for the review, the content, and for being you! If I had any additional feedback, how would I message you on a less public forum?

[@ThinkerThemer]

Hi Ashleigh! Thank you! You can reach us on any of the socials under thinkerthemer, or please feel free to email us at [e-mail] ☺️

[@darlene7165]

Awesome review! Now I am sad I didn’t back this one. But it sounds so much better than I thought given the political nature. I mean seeing Amy so excited over an asymmetric game alone says a lot! I can’t wait to play this one at a convention or meet up! Thank you for the great review!

[@monomundo]

Thank you for this detailed review. I love political sciences and there are so few games on this subject. I had "The Macher" but it was so hard to get to the table (as there is not much interest for German parliamentary politics). Thus, I crowdfunded "Hegemony" almost immediately, but could not try it yet (I am currently posted to 5.000 kilometers away from home). I am happy that your video confirms my initial gut feeling.

[@ThinkerThemer]

Ooooooo if you're into the theme I think you're really going to love this one. Look forward to hearing your thoughts!

[@rossjaax]

I just played it yesterday for the first time, and I fully agree with your review. I too can’t stop thinking about it.

[@ThinkerThemer]

RIGHT?? Love a game that makes you contemplate so deeply to find the way to win... and even more when the way to win is so thematic! Enjoy!

[@nirszi]

Such a great overview!

[@ThinkerThemer]

Thank you!

[@tourguidechuck]

I have SO MANY games (200+) and I don't really need any more. But THIS review has totally sold me on this game! You two are brilliant! It's like...what if society was a board game? Too cool!

[@ThinkerThemer]

It's exactly society in a board game! Thank you so much for the kind words Charles, that really made our day ❤️

[@ACGalaga]

Awesome review! Thanks for the great breakdown! Still waiting for my copy, but I think the “Historical Events” expansion may add exactly what you thought was lacking from the State. Not sure exactly, though.

[@ThinkerThemer]

Yes we haven't tried the expansion yet but are excited to! Thanks for the lovely feedback, hope you enjoy getting this to the table 💕

[@DevonTalksTabletop]

This game sounds so intriguing! Thanks for the enthusiastic breakdown 🙂

[@ThinkerThemer]

Thanks for watching friend! 🥰✨️

[@TheBrothersMurph]

Fascinating! Great review as always! This game is so interesting to me. High asymmetry, crunchy mechanics and choices. And I love how well it was researched, and the accuracy of how the game reflects a real society, and it always plays different! And yet I can't think of many games I'd like to play less. I use games as a form of escapism, so games that simulate life like this, the battles between the classes, hold so little interest to me. Games set in the real world, think something like Hallertau, work for me because I'm not a farmer and so I can be whisked away to that world and enjoy it. But a game like this just does nothing for me. Would still be interested to try it, as I have been wrong before, but I don't think this one's going to be for me. Excellent review!

[@ThinkerThemer]

That is such a fair opinion and one we thought many of our friends would feel the same about. It's the same for us when a game strays too far from reality (scifi or fantasy) - we can't imagine ourselves in those roles so it loses something. At least we can all agree on farming 😂😂😂 let's go live off grid together... ok? Great 🚜

[@lenmux]

My copy is due to arrive today, so this was a perfect watch.

[@craiggruesome6400]

Intriguing! I have to play this one now.

[@ThinkerThemer]

Wish we could teach you Craig!!!!

[@madad0406]

Oh man I need friends like y'all! I can't imagine anyone in my group getting into this, but I know I would LOVE this one

[@sartori69]

Getting ready to play my copy the first time, and am really excited. A little worried about the other players, and I’m sure we’ll get some rules wrong, but I think we will have a great time

[@ylein6508]

Love this game too. Not only thematic but mechanics is really good and everything you do makes sense, also my best game of the year.

[@ThinkerThemer]

Yay! So glad we agree on this 🙌 Such a fantastic and surprising design 😀 Thanks for sharing your thoughts as always ❤️

[@ylein6508]

If you have a set of iron clays , it makes the game even better and faster as I find the cardboard money too fiddly

[@MrTomlette]

Cool to know that 3 players works great, it wouldn't be worth it for me otherwise. Thank you for the review!

[@ThinkerThemer]

3 players is amazing! Our most common player count too so 😙👌 thanks for watching!

[@BenGreen1980]

I talked myself into backing this game on the basis that it seemed like it'd be great for a homeschool unit on economics and politics etc, but I'm so hyped for this after seeing review after review speaking so highly about it. I've got some players who really love John Company, so I figure this will fit right in to that group too.

[@Hahahahaaahaahaa]

Welp, I'm definitely sold on this! Great breakdown, always appreciate the critiques. I don't think these issues bother me too much, but nothing worse than people ONLY praising a game they love.

[@LikeMadCops]

I was already really high on this game. I fully expect to get it as soon as possible. But your review has me jumping this to number 1 on the wish list.

[@filiplazov5895]

Hey, thanks for the great video. I am curious when you play 3p, do you prefer ti use a bot for the state or just the players?

[@RichardRobertson]

Great job expressing the hard truths and positive aspects of this game.

[@-Ambos-]

Your reviews are real great. You have such a good sense of finding the import points. Btw you don't have a video about your top 10 board games, right?

[@Groovestonenz]

Love this game. Great review too. I agree, the rule book isn't the greatest, though the player guides are alright, and the concepts booklet is interesting as a primer. Also as you say, I feel the State could be better implemented/be more thematic. Definitely not a game for everyone, but I think it's awesome.

[@Khesan84]

It's funny since I tend to lean towards cooperative games, so playing as the state was perfect for me. I do agree that the political agendas is a place where I also felt like it didn't really matter.

[@bearhustler]

I've been keeping my eye on this, thinking I'd love it but not 100% convinced but I think this review has absolutely sold me on it.

[@ripplebrook3419]

The game that made Amy a themer! I backed this and was considering just selling it, but now I’m crossing my fingers that I can find some people to play a 3+ hour game 😊.

[@ThinkerThemer]

It REALLY did. The mechanics are actually not that complex, it's the way the theme helps you understand the ramifications of each mechanic that makes me so in awe of this design. A fantastic teaching tool too. Enjoy your vacay!!!! 🙌🙌🙌🥳

[@benjamindebetencourt1526]

Amazing review and really love your enthousiasm ! However I must say that I don't fancy a real world simulation of classes and politics as a game 😅 so I will pass but I am happy you enjoyed it so much !

[@ThinkerThemer]

That is completely fair! Definitely not a theme for everyone. Thanks for watching in spite of that! 😊💕

[@wywerny]

Nice review! comparing to Shasn, which one do you both prefer for theme aspect?

[@joshbain8032]

Love the idea and theme on this one. Unfortunately I don't think I'd have the right play group for it 😢

[@ThinkerThemer]

Yes it's definitely going to have more niche theme appeal. Though we were surprised at how many of our friends were into it in the end. But I still suspect it will be a little harder to get off the shelf (coupled with play time!) Thanks for watching!

[@Andrewkellymagic]

Amazing review. I know you said its best at 3 but would you recommend this as a 2 player game?

[@dr3putt62]

Backed it and taught it 10 times since getting it in April….. soooooo good

[@DigitalAwakening]

Still waiting for my copy. Really looking forward to it though 😊

[@jasonc2784]

Fascinating example of a real world model in a board game.

[@matthewmelissamakak2615]

Thinker is looking like a Themer with this one 😅 I love fantasy but oh my goodness, this theme intrigues me. I used to work for a college funded by the city so all I ever think about is policy and social class and how all those things intertwine. Y'all just stole my money with this one

[@ralfn9629]

Hi ThemerThemer, I agree with one earlier comment about Amy changing away from "all about the mechanics". Great review. As a big Themer myself, I think this game would frustrate me too much with its overarching message, that we all just need to strive for harmony. The world unfortunately doesn't work like that. But the game is intriguing. I also never liked to play Die Macher either.

[@ThinkerThemer]

Hiiii!!! I was totally taken by the theme here because it's almost impossible to assess the mechanics independent of it (which is high integration praise!) Definitely not a message of harmony though - only the state wants harmony- everyone else is out for themselves. Maybe a bit more like real life.... 🫥

[@ralfn9629]

... hmm I see your point about maybe closer to real life,... but I also still see my frustration! As player of the working class I would need an expansion. The title would probably be a similar word as my new acquired Kickstarter: Evolution : New World

[@hedgeymcgee3079]

Great content, as always. What do you think as a mostly 2 player experience? Would that change your ratings? Saw another content creator said even 2 player with autonoma they enjoyed.

[@ThinkerThemer]

Hmm 2 player is fine but neither of us enjoy facilitation of automas (not just here) and in this game the middle class is a fun negotiating balance to the capitalists and working class. So that dynamic and table talk makes it much better at 3 for us personally. Hope that helps and hope you get to try this one! 😊

[@hedgeymcgee3079]

Thank you for the extra information

[@gchwee83]

The Middle Class is the most powerful but difficult to play class. You can't let the Capitalist and Working Class get policies that benefits them more than you (tax and wages). The State counterbalances the power of the Middle Class to land policies in the Middle (B) and is a strong faction in terms of victory points. A fun challenge to rid the State and balance the scores. Also no permanent friends or enemies, it's a game of politics after all.

[@gerrade71278]

I thought I would be intonthis game. But... Coming from a working class family, I did not need a 4 hour game to remind me of how crap that was. I can guarantee no one who was raised poor will appreciate this game. So please consider this when bringing it to a group. It seemed most interesting to my uni mates. Haha. I'll stick to good 'ol escapism thanks.

[@asqik]

Wow! Sounds very good

[@ThinkerThemer]

It is if you're into the theme 😊✨️

[@xandermichael78]

You two!! 9s?!? Holy smokes! I only watched this video because it was you two, I'm one of those people where this theme does absolutely nothing for me. When I play games I want to escape and want my biggest problems to be that I can't find a mousy husband or I made too much noise travelling through the space ship or I can't afford to give a gift to the Medicis or this cat doesn't fit on my boat the way I need it to or I'm not sure if I want to go back into orbit to get more resources from Earth or I'm not going to perform my illusion this week, NOT that I need to lower the taxes or go on strike. 😂 BUT with such praise from you both I will definitely add it to my 'want to play' list. Certainly curious to see if I could get sucked into it despite the theme.

[@JohnSmith-co1cp]

I'd encourage non eurogamers to give this a try. I'm not a euro person myself, but my three main issues with them are that they can be overly point salad-y, there's little interaction with other players and they lack theme. Hegemony has a bit of a point salad problem at times, but it's deeply thematic and interactive, and you get the sense it will have a lot of replay value. The fact that all of the players' production systems are dependent on each other is fascinating.

[@futurescaper]

My wife, who loves fantasy and dragons, is not looking forward to our Kickstarter copy of this game arriving, which I backed. But she backed Earth, which arrived today, so we will probably play that while we wait for Hegemony to arrive.

[@ThinkerThemer]

Ohhh boy! She might not but it's definitely not as dry as it appears (or as dry as the ruleset makes it feel). She might be won over by the card play. How are you enjoying Earth?

[@randlmorales4890]

Them explaining this game is like explaining the real world. This game is nuts!

[@antzpantz]

Just wondering what you did with your voice audio? It sounds quite compressed? Like you're talking through gaming headsets?

[@mckeoncrawford9262]

Do you guys have a video I somehow can't find that tackles Lockdown?

[@vuhuynh2516]

wait! Amy, do you have your top ten board games of all time listed somewhere?!

[@-Ambos-]

Oh you got me really hyped for the game but do you say it is a game others should prepare by themselves before playing it? Is it on such a heavy level?

[@johncollins8511]

I got my bachelor's degree in Social Studies Education and I desperately want to play this game. I left teaching and now all my friends don't want to play this game because either the theme is too real for them or the game is too complex. I'm really hoping I can find a board game group that does heavier games.

[@Drizzzzle]

I live in a country where you can barely find any board/card games except for monopoly or scrabble or uno which is really annoying since I love collecting and playing different board games (I can’t buy from Amazon because of the very highly customs tax and shipment fees) so when I go abroad I’m gonna search the whole country for this 💀

[@Webchain]

Is it possible to have a kingmaker issue with this game?

[@itsGabrielaCristina]

Oh no. This was the push I needed to go for it 😂

[@ThinkerThemer]

Sorry 😅😬

[@itsGabrielaCristina]

@@ThinkerThemer it’s ok. The damage is done. And I can’t wait to get it! 😂

[@stevegeorge7773]

Wow, what a rating. It does cost a pretty penny.

[@ArnoVdVelde]

It's a eurogame I would play more than once or twice. High praise!

[@ThinkerThemer]

Hahah not a fan usually? We love euros so maybe temper our review if you don't! 😊

[@eimwolliballa]

Again a very good video 👍🏻 But this is no game for me 🙃

[@ThinkerThemer]

Hahaha that is totally fair! 😊 thank you!

[@Listan1]

So it really should not be played at 2? Just at 3 player?

[@ylein6508]

Not really, I had fun at 2 and it’s a great intro game. Capitalist is the easiest to learn. But once you pass that, then you can play at 2 and use capitalist as automa. I have not yet tried the state yet

[@brickisland6353]

You need to play this game multiple times to get the hang of it and rely get the experience to play it fluently. But when you get the hang of it it's a lot of fun.

[@TheSchaef47]

I think the state is perfectly themed: a fourth entry in a three party struggle, and its primary goal is to justify its own existence by plying the others.

[@foyoGames]

The new Root

[@ThinkerThemer]

... we don't usually like assymetry so this is a good comparison since we also enjoy Root 😀

[@foyoGames]

@@ThinkerThemer 💪