Daniel (@dungeondive) returns with a gem that might just redefine the phrase “punching above its weight.” Judgment of the Realm Lords is a solo fantasy adventure game that crams the essence of Runebound Second Edition—quests, loot, tactical combat, and a ticking doom clock—into a metal mint tin. Yes, really. Despite its compact size, it’s a full-featured experience with a modular map, 10 playable heroes, a range of monsters, equipment decks, and stance-based combat with more nuance than many full-sized games manage. Setup looks like you spilled a dragon’s hoard across your desk, but once sorted, the gameplay flows with surprising elegance.
There’s a wry charm to its ambition. This isn’t some microgame with delusions of grandeur—it is grand, just conveniently tiny. Combat offers meaningful choices through a rock-paper-scissors stance system, and the game world unfolds across a 6x6 grid of terrain and settlements, all tied together by a doom track that nudges you along before time runs out. The only critique? It could use a touch more non-combat adventure, which Daniel suggests could be fixed with just six extra cards. For fans of Runebound, Talisman, or “I can’t believe this all fits in a tin” moments, Judgment of the Realm Lords is an impressive, travel-ready epic in miniature.