English review by What Board Game – Reading time: 8 min.
This game is absolutely fantastic. From the midpoint of my first round, I was completely hooked. Every choice feels crucial, every move significant. You’re constantly considering your opponents’ actions and potential moves. You’re strategising about which areas of the main board to control by the round’s end and how to counter your opponents’ strategies. Your brain is working overtime from the get-go to maximize your efficiency.
English review by Tabletopping – Reading time: 5 min.
We’ve really enjoyed our time with The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible. It’s a game of tight strategies, engaging player interactions, and constantly shifting power dynamics that keep each session fresh and tense. Yes, the game runs long at two to three hours, but time flies when you’re scheming and plotting your way to the top. The first few rounds might feel a bit slow as you get used to the mechanics, but once it clicks, it’s a smooth ride through a web of intrigue and strategy. If you’ve got a soft spot for traditional euro mechanics with a fresh twist, give The First Tsar a try—it might just win you over.
English review by @boardgamebahrain – Reading time: 5 min.
Overall, The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible has easily earned a spot in my top 10 board games for 2024. It is another amazing title from Hobby World!
A superb game! Highly recommended!
English review by @brettspielfieber – Reading time: 1 min.
The more I play it, the more I like it. Highly interactive and tense euro game experience!
English review by @brettspielfieber – Reading time: 1 min.
Definitely worth a try, if you enjoy interactive games with a focus on sound game design!
English review by @abroadgame – Reading time: 2 min.
Overall this is a game I highly recommend and if you’re a fan of the genre you should definitely grab it on release!
Gameplay 8/10
English review by @brettspielfieber – Reading time: 1 min.
One of the biggest surprises for me in 2024, The First Tsar is a treat for everyone who likes interactive euro games without a random chaos factor!
reading the opponents’ options and board state is crucial when resolving your actions and it‘s very rewarding if your plans work out! really great game which i personally cannot recommend enough! 👍🏻😁
English review by @boardgamespixels – Reading time: 1 min.
I really enjoy tactics and opportunistic situations in games and The First Tsar offers plenty, so I really recommend trying this one if you have the chance.
Well done Stan!
English review by Unfiltered Gamer – Reading time: 6 min.
The First Tsar: Ivan the Terrible has been a major surprise. It’s thoroughly captivating and exciting from a thinking, euro gamer’s perspective. It vents those old-school, euro vibes where play is tight and choices can be a struggle. Your limited actions heighten the fact that every turn counts for something and will have an impact on the overall game.
English review by @babylon.games – Reading time: 2 min.
The First Tsar is one of the best games i played this year, i tottaly recomend it for you to check it out.
Spanish review by @ludus_lab – Reading time: 2 min.
Lo dicho, una grata sorpresa que merece más atención de la que ha tenido.
Spanish review by @dosmeeplesyuncunado – Reading time: 2 min.
Sin duda un juego al que merece la pena darle una oportunidad porque seguramente os sorprenda gratamente. Por aquí tenemos claro que seguirá viendo mesa.
English review by @abroadgame – Reading time: 1 min.
The visuals were awesome and we really enjoyed the gameplay. Definitely worth checking out if you get a chance!
English/Spanish by @freethemeeple – Reading time: 1 min.
With simple rules & actions and quick turns, it offers a great variety and depth of strategies, constant decisions as it has only 4 3-turn rounds, and development opportunities. Interesting system that combines the choice of an action and of your map presence, with a bonus if you spend coins. Different to others in its genre.
Good game!
