Revive (board game)
Officially Revive
Aporta Games post-apocalyptic 2-4 player euro (Kai Starck / Helge Meissner / Anna & Adam Wisniewski, 2022) — reawakening 5 clans on a ravaged Earth via variable player powers, card programming, artifact combos, and modular tech tree. 90-150 min; 12+.
What is Revive (board game)?
Revive is a heavy euro-strategy board game designed by Kai Starck, Helge Meissner, and Anna & Adam Wisniewski — published by Aporta Games (Norway) with international distribution by Pegasus Spiele + Meeple Space in 2022. Set in a post-apocalyptic future where 5 clans (Kadobo Order, Reef, Iron Titans, Hemis Empire, Dwellers) are awakening from cryogenic sleep to reclaim a ravaged Earth. 2-4 players compete over 5 rounds; each player picks 1 of 5 asymmetric clans, each with distinct starting resources, powers, and specialisations. Turn-based actions: each turn player takes 2 of 5 available actions (Explore, Populate, Machine, Contact, Rest) which are on a rondel that unlocks progressively via a personal 'awakening' track. Card programming — players draft cards each round + play them to gain artifacts, tech tokens, energy. Modular map hex tiles; asymmetric clan boards; combo-rich artifact system. 90-150 min play time; complexity 4.0/5 on BGG. Ranked in BGG Top 100 within a year of release; nominated for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023 (Connoisseur Game of the Year) — did not win but shortlisted. Deluxe Kickstarter edition + expansion 'The Deep' (2024) added.
Quick facts
Category
Board Games
Type
Mixed
Players
2–4
Duration
~120 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇳🇴 Norway
Estimated origin
Released 2022 by Aporta Games; expansion 'The Deep' released 2024
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Score most Victory Points across 5 rounds via territory expansion, awakening completion, tech tree, and artifact combos.
Match structure
5 rounds; each round: draft cards → take 2 rondel actions → resolve endgame conditions.
Rules
Basic rules
5 asymmetric clans
Each clan has unique starting resources + power + specialisation strategy.
Rondel 5 actions
Each turn = 2 of 5 actions (Explore, Populate, Machine, Contact, Rest); rondel unlocks via awakening track.
5-round game
Fixed 5 rounds; endgame VP scoring on final round + Awakening bonus.
Advanced rules
Card programming + draft
Draft + play cards each round to trigger actions + gain artifact + tech tokens.
Awakening track progression
Fill awakening slots to unlock more rondel actions + endgame VP bonus.
Artifact combo scoring
Chain artifact + tech tokens for exponential VP scoring in Turn 5.
Scoring
Sum Victory Points from territory, awakening, tech tree, artifact combos.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Territory expansion | Variable VP per hex |
| Awakening slots filled | VP + rondel unlocks |
| Artifact combo chains | Exponential VP in Turn 5 |
Win condition · Most VP after 5 rounds.
Equipment
Modular hex map tiles
Assembled per game for variable board setup.
5 asymmetric clan boards
Kadobo Order, Reef, Iron Titans, Hemis Empire, Dwellers.
Rondel action tokens
5-action rondel unlocking via awakening track.
Artifact + tech tokens
Artifact deck + progression tokens.
Card programming decks
Draft + play card system per round.
Positions & roles
Clan Leader
×1Solo player leading one of 5 asymmetric clans through Earth reclamation.
Officiating
Player-managed rules enforcement.
- Group consensus; no formal officials
Penalties & fouls
Penalties
Missed action opportunity
No penalty; strategic depth requires efficient action selection.
Blocked expansion territory
Positional play matters; players can block opponent expansion.
Strategies
Awakening track prioritisation
Fill awakening slots early to unlock more rondel actions — snowballs card + tech tempo.
Artifact combo focus
Pick artifact + tech token combinations that chain in Turn 5 for exponential VP.
Clan-specific opener
Each clan has distinct opening: Kadobo — awakening race; Reef — expansion; Iron Titans — machine tech; Hemis — card control; Dwellers — territory.
Terminology
- Awakening
- Player track unlocking rondel actions + VP
- Rondel
- 5-action wheel each turn
- Artifact
- Combo-scoring token from cards
- Tech tree
- Progression track granting powers + VP
- Clan
- One of 5 asymmetric player factions
Major competitions
Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023 (Connoisseur Game shortlist)
annual · Germany / German-speaking world · since 2011
Board Game Geek Top 100 (post-release)
ongoing · global (community) · since 2000
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Aporta Games
Founded 2016 · Trondheim, Norway
Pegasus Spiele
Founded 1993 · Friedberg, Germany
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Kai Starck (designer)
- Helge Meissner (designer)
- Anna & Adam Wisniewski (designers)
Records
Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023 nominee
Aporta Games — Shortlisted for Kennerspiel des Jahres 2023 (Connoisseur Game of the Year) (2023)
BGG Top 100 within one year
Aporta Games — Entered Board Game Geek Top 100 rankings within one year of release (2023)
The Deep expansion 2024
Aporta Games — First expansion 'The Deep' released 2024 adding underwater exploration + new clan (2024)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Kadobo Order intro clan
Kadobo has clearest strategy — good learning clan.
intermediate
- 1
All 5 clans + card combo depth
Play each clan; learn artifact + tech combo scoring.
advanced
- 1
Tournament + The Deep expansion
Elite-level clan-specific optimization + expansion content.
Frequently asked
How long does a game of Revive take?+
90-150 minutes for 3-4 players; 60-90 minutes for 2 players. Rulebook-heavy first game may take longer as players learn the systems.
Is Revive good for beginners?+
Not really — it's a heavy euro at 4.0/5 complexity on BGG. Requires familiarity with modern eurogames (Ark Nova, Terra Mystica). Kadobo Order clan is the recommended starting clan for learning.
Sources & provenance
- BoardGameGeek — Revive— BoardGameGeek