SEED GAME#17235 BGG all-time

The Year of the 5 Emperors(2022)

★ 7.0 BGG2–5 players30 minWeight 2.00
Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

Games like The Year of the 5 Emperors

Looking for games like The Year of the 5 Emperors? It's a strategy game with real decisions on every turn — built on building an engine card by card as the game unfolds and the constant fight to control more of the board than your rivals. 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

For the Gods!(2026)

★ 7.42–4 players30 minWeight 2.3
ISO Match
76/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 1 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

Henchmania: Second Edition(2024)

★ 7.92–5 playersWeight 2.0
ISO Match
69/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 1 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDice Rolling

Henchmania(2016)

★ 6.92–5 playersWeight 2.1
ISO Match
69/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 1 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDice Rolling

Master of the Galaxy(2018)

★ 6.62–4 playersWeight 2.8
ISO Match
68/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 1 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool Building

The Long Road(2018)

★ 6.92–4 players30 minWeight 2.0
ISO Match
68/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 1 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingHand Management

Serengeti: A Race For Life(2017)

★ 5.92 players30 minWeight 2.0
ISO Match
68/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 1 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingHand Management

The Trial of Socrates(2009)

★ 6.32 players20 minWeight 1.7
ISO Match
67/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence

Area Majority / InfluenceSimultaneous Action Selection

DC Deck-Building Game(2012)

★ 7.02–5 players45 minWeight 2.0
ISO Match
66/100

Shares Deck, Bag, and Pool Building

Deck, Bag, and Pool BuildingOpen Drafting

DC Deck-Building Game: Heroes Unite(2014)

★ 7.42–5 players45 minWeight 2.1
ISO Match
66/100

Shares Deck, Bag, and Pool Building

Deck, Bag, and Pool Building

Lone Wolves(2024)

★ 7.62 playersWeight 1.9
ISO Match
66/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence

Area Majority / InfluenceTrick-taking

Don't Turn Your Back(2015)

★ 6.92–4 playersWeight 2.4
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Area Majority / Influence + 1 more

Area Majority / InfluenceDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingWorker Placement

DC Deck-Building Game: Forever Evil(2014)

★ 7.32–5 playersWeight 2.5
ISO Match
65/100

Shares Deck, Bag, and Pool Building

Deck, Bag, and Pool Building

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