SEED GAME#1244 BGG all-time

A Study in Emerald(2013)

★ 7.2 BGG2–5 players90 minWeight 3.46
Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingHand Management

Games like A Study in Emerald

Looking for games like A Study in Emerald? It's a strategy game with real decisions on every turn — built on the paranoia of not knowing who's really on your side and building an engine card by card as the game unfolds. This page rounds up 12 of the closest alternatives, scored on mechanical overlap with the original (45%), complexity match (35%), and player-count fit (20%), then weighted by BoardGameGeek community ratings so every pick is one players genuinely rate. The strongest matches come first; the further down you go, the more a game trades exact overlap for a fresh take on the same core appeal.

How ISO scores this list:Mechanic overlap 45%·Complexity proximity 35%·Player-count fit 20%·BGG quality multiplier applied

12 recommendations · scored by ISO

A Study in Emerald (Second Edition)(2015)

★ 6.92–5 playersWeight 2.9
ISO Match
74/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 6 more

Area Majority / InfluenceAuction / BiddingDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

A Handful of Stars(2017)

★ 7.22–4 playersWeight 3.1
ISO Match
68/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 4 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingHand Management

Cthulhu: Dark Providence(2025)

★ 7.51–5 playersWeight 3.3
ISO Match
67/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 5 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDelayed Purchase

A Few Acres of Snow(2011)

★ 7.42 players60 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
67/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 4 more

Area Majority / InfluenceCard Play Conflict ResolutionDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

City of Iron(2013)

★ 7.12–4 playersWeight 3.2
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Action PointsArea Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

Unfathomable(2021)

★ 7.53–6 players120 minWeight 3.1
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Hand Management + 2 more

Area MovementHand ManagementHidden Roles

Wonderland's War(2022)

★ 8.02–5 players45 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
64/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 2 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDice Rolling

Excavation Earth(2021)

★ 7.11–4 playersWeight 3.8
ISO Match
63/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceHand ManagementMarket

Rococo(2013)

★ 7.62–5 players60 minWeight 3.1
ISO Match
63/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Action RetrievalArea Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

Timeless Journeys: The Italian Grand Tour(2026)

★ 7.91–5 players60 minWeight 3.0
ISO Match
62/100

Shares Deck, Bag, and Pool Building + 3 more

Deck, Bag, and Pool BuildingEnd Game BonusesHand Management

Rex: Final Days of an Empire(2012)

★ 7.03–6 players120 minWeight 3.3
ISO Match
62/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

AlliancesArea Majority / InfluenceAuction / Bidding

Blackout: Hong Kong(2018)

★ 7.41–4 players75 minWeight 3.5
ISO Match
62/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 3 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDice Rolling

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