Hidden Gem #1 - Blackout: Hong Kong

 


Quick Facts

  • Designer: Alexander Pfister

  • Players: 1–4

  • Play Time: 75–150 minutes

  • Complexity: Medium-Heavy

  • Publisher: Eggertspiele

Unbored Rating: ⭐ 8.3 / 10
Best For: Strategic players who love planning combos and managing resources.

The Premise

In Blackout: Hong Kong, the city has fallen into darkness after a massive power grid failure. Chaos spreads across Hong Kong, and it's up to you to restore order.

Players manage networks of specialists, secure districts, gather supplies, and slowly rebuild parts of the city. But resources are scarce, and every decision matters.

It’s not about flashy theme, it’s about deep, satisfying strategy.

What Makes It Special

Card-Driven Strategy

Your main actions come from cards representing your team. Each round you build combinations to generate resources, activate abilities, and expand your influence.

The puzzle of optimizing your hand is incredibly satisfying.

Multi-Layered Gameplay

Blackout combines several mechanics:

  • Card management

  • Area presence

  • Resource economy

  • Objective fulfillment

The result is a dense but rewarding system that keeps experienced gamers engaged.

The Pfister Touch

Designer Alexander Pfister (known for hits like Great Western Trail and Maracaibo) delivers another deep strategic experience here.

But unlike his more famous titles, this one flew under the radar.

Why It’s a Hidden Gem

Many players overlooked Blackout when it released because:

  • The theme felt abstract

  • The box art wasn’t flashy

  • It released during a crowded year of big games

But once people actually play it, they discover:

✔ deep strategy
✔ strong replayability
✔ clever card systems

It’s one of those games that quietly becomes a favorite among strategy fans.

What We Love

✔ Deep strategic decisions
✔ Excellent solo mode
✔ Strong replayability with objectives
✔ Unique setting compared to typical Euro games

What Might Not Click

✖ Slightly complex rules explanation
✖ Theme feels mechanical rather than immersive
✖ Setup takes some time

Final Verdict

Blackout: Hong Kong is one of the most underrated Eurogames of the last decade.

If you enjoy thoughtful strategy games and don’t mind a heavier ruleset, this game delivers a fantastic puzzle every time it hits the table.

It may not have the hype of bigger titles ,but that’s exactly why it’s a true hidden gem.

⭐ Unbored Score: 8.3 / 10

Unbored Verdict:
A deep strategic experience that deserves far more attention.


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