Arcs (2024)

Overview

Arcs is a fast-playing science fiction game that opens in the final days of a decaying empire. A fearsome blight has overwhelmed the outer systems. As the last imperial regents, players must balance their duty to an ancient order against their own ambitions. Will you find opportunity in this crisis? Building on the conventions of trick-taking games, Arcs emphasizes both careful planning and daring gambits. Each round, the lead player sets the agenda by playing a card. Other players can follow it by playing a card of the same suit and higher number, copy it by playing any card facedown, or pivot to a new tactic by playing off-suit. Following suit maximizes your actions and might make you the lead player, but copying and pivoting let you respond to immediate opportunities and threats. And if you truly need to become the lead player no matter what, you can always discard a second card to seize the initiative!