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In the mystical realms of the planaverse, gods wield their powers to shape the land and influence the mortal factions that inhabit it. Each deity has a favorite faction, and by guiding and investing in them, they hope to earn the highest favor from Azema, the benevolent supreme goddess. As you step into the shoes of one of these divine beings, your decisions will shape the fate of the world and determine who gains the most favor.
👥 1-5 players, ages 14+
⌛ Playing time: 60-90 minutes
📝 Designer: Jason Lentz
🎨 Artwork: Diego Sá
🏢 Publisher: Thunderworks Games (review copy provided)
Gameplay Overview
In Dawn of Ulos, you take on the role of a god, sculpting the land and placing your bets on the mortal factions vying for dominance. Every turn, you’ll place one development tile from your hand of three, each tile made up of two terrain hexagons. These tiles must be placed on matching terrain types across the map, potentially triggering events like establishing camps, gathering rift tiles, or igniting conflicts.
Tiles can be placed anywhere on the map, as long as the terrain fits. If you connect a tile to a faction’s existing camp, you might strengthen that camp, depending on the terrains involved. If the tile doesn’t connect to an existing camp, but the new territory matches an unbuilt camp, that camp is placed on the map, bringing a new faction into play.
Should you link a rift tile to a camp, you earn that rift tile, which provides you with extra actions or bonuses on its reverse side that you can use later in the game. But be careful—if your tile placement connects two camps, a conflict will erupt. As the active player, you’ll choose which side attacks, which can be a crucial decision since it determines the outcome in the case of a tie. Players can commit cards from their hand to support either side, or even bluff with cards from other factions. The losing faction’s camp is removed, and its territory is absorbed into the victor’s, increasing their strength.
After resolving all events from your tile placement, you can take one of two actions: either purchase up to three cards from the active factions, paying their strength value, or play one card from your hand, using its faction ability to gain favor based on its strength.
Your turn ends by drawing a new tile, replenishing your hand back to three. The game concludes when the development tiles run out or when two factions reach legendary strength. At the end, players tally their favor tokens, earning extra points for unused rift tiles and faction cards in hand, with bonuses depending on each faction’s strength.
Game Info
Dawn of Ulos is designed by Jason Lentz and published by Thunderworks Games. This medium-weight game is perfect for 1-5 players, ages 14 and up, with a playing time ranging from 60-90 minutes. Set in the ever-expanding Roll Player universe, this game will make you feel right at home if you’re into clever tactics and magical worlds.
Components, Production, and Artwork
The components in Dawn of Ulos are both sturdy and thoughtfully designed. The development tiles have a satisfying heft and fit together seamlessly, making for smooth gameplay. The map is spacious enough to accommodate sprawling territories, yet compact enough to fit comfortably on most tables, even when playing with a full group.
The miniatures for the camps are visually appealing, with distinct shapes that differentiate the factions. However, since they’re all cast in a similar gray, you might occasionally find yourself double-checking the cards to keep track of which camp belongs to which faction. It’s a minor quirk, but it doesn’t get in the way of the overall experience.
The artwork by Diego Sá fits the theme beautifully, capturing the fantasy vibe that fans of the Roll Player universe will instantly recognize. While it stays within familiar artistic territory, it does a solid job of immersing players in the world. Plus, it complements the game’s overall aesthetic without overshadowing the gameplay.
It’s always a pleasure when a game comes with a well-organized box insert, and this one hits the mark perfectly. Every piece has its own snug spot, keeping everything neatly in place and ready for the next play. There’s even a cover to keep everything secure during storage or transport, making setup and cleanup quick and painless—a blessing considering the number of components. And for those who love a bit of luxury, the optional metal favor tokens are a nice upgrade. We adore how these coins, with their four denominations, have such a solid, weighty feel that adds a lot to the overall experience.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Dawn of Ulos is all about tile placement, territory control, and making smart bets on which factions will come out on top. The game strikes a good balance between strategic depth and accessibility. The fantasy theme isn’t just a backdrop—it’s woven directly into the gameplay. Each faction feels unique, with abilities that align with classic fantasy tropes, making them both thematic and mechanically distinct.
We love that the game keeps you on your toes by making you pay attention to your opponents’ card choices. As they buy and play cards, tracking which factions they’re backing helps you anticipate their moves in conflicts and gauge how many favor points they might rack up by the end. If you’re clever, you can even work to eliminate certain factions by strategically connecting them to stronger ones that align with the cards you hold, boosting your own endgame points.
This high level of player interaction is where Dawn of Ulos truly shines. Players constantly influence each other’s fortunes, whether by expanding factions to enhance their value or by dismantling them entirely. The game offers plenty of variety, with 10 factions to choose from, each featuring its own unique camp shape, terrain preferences, and abilities. This variety ensures that no two games feel the same, keeping things fresh and challenging every time.
Final Thoughts
Dawn of Ulos is a game that successfully blends strategic tile placement, area control, and a clever economic system into a package that’s both engaging and fun. The balance between accessibility and depth is spot-on, offering enough complexity for seasoned gamers while still being approachable for newer players. The constant tug-of-war over faction control and the mind games involved in predicting opponents’ moves keep things tense and make the game that much more engaging.
Our favorite part? Definitely the ongoing struggle to either build up the factions we’re secretly supporting—or gleefully sabotage the ones our opponents are banking on. If you enjoy bluffing, strategic investment, and the occasional bit of divine meddling, Dawn of Ulos is a game you’ll want to check out.
📝 Disclaimer: We received a copy of the game from the publisher, Thunderworks Games.
