Power Struggle

Power Struggle is a game that really dives into the cutthroat world of corporate politics. The goal is to become the first player to acquire four out of six possible victory points, which you earn by reaching certain levels on different tracks like influence, majority, and stock holdings. You can also gain a point by surpassing your secret archenemy on three specific tracks.

The game unfolds over several rounds, each consisting of a directors' meeting and 4-7 turns. The directors' meeting determines the company chairman and division heads, which come with bonuses and special advantages. The communications head then secretly decides the order of event cards, controlling the pace of the game.

Each event card presents a new challenge, and players choose an action to take. You can hire and relocate employees, resign as a department head, use an advantage card, or bribe other players for their cards. Bribes give you more power but also increase your corruption score. Rejecting a bribe results in a loss of a cube on the majority columns.

While the theme suggests ruthless corporate maneuvering, the game isn't overly dastardly. The humor mostly comes from the event cards, which can be quite amusing. The feeling of rising through the ranks and gaining power is definitely present.

I've played this game twice, once with family and once with friends, and it's definitely a fun experience. The first game with five players took a while, partly due to the detailed rulebook and some younger players getting lost. But once everyone got the hang of things, the game became more dynamic and enjoyable.

A big part of the fun comes from the manipulation and backstabbing that naturally arise. The game definitely encourages a level of strategic thinking and negotiation. It's not for everyone, though. The slow start and complex rules might deter some players, especially younger ones. However, if you're looking for a board game with a good dose of intrigue and strategy, Power Struggle is definitely worth a try.