Rurik: Dawn of Kiev

Rurik: Dawn of Kiev was one of the top-rated games of 2019 with a 7.8 BGG rating (1,900+ ratings) and winning multiple 2019 Game of the Year awards.

Rurik: Dawn of Kiev is a euro-style realm building game set in an 11th century Eastern European kingdom. It features area majority, resource management, and an innovative game mechanic - "auction programming."

You play as a potential successor to the throne following the death of your father, Vladimir the Great, in 1015. Although warfare seems to be the easiest path to success, the people value a ruler who leads well in a variety of endeavors. Your claim to the throne depends on how well you manage the help of your troops and advisors.

In Rurik, players openly bid for actions with their advisors. Stronger advisors earn greater benefits at the cost of performing their action later than other players. Conversely, weaker advisors earn lesser benefits but perform their action quickly. After all advisors are placed, players take turns resolving their lowest numbered advisor, regardless of which action column it is on, and performing the action.

Establish your legacy by constructing buildings and performing great deeds or pursue your own agenda by ruling large areas of land and collecting tribute. Will you win over the hearts of the people to become the next ruler of Kievan Rus?