- BGG rank
- BGG #28,914
- BGG rating
- 4.7
Landyland
- 3–6 players
- 30 min
- Complexity 2.3/5
- 1998
- BGG rank
- BGG #23,550
- BGG rating
- 5.6
Freeloader
2002
Rules assistance for Freeloader
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 3–6 players
- 90 min
- 10+
- Complexity 1.6/5
For 3 players
Rules assistant for Freeloader
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Freeloader is a board game released in 2002 for 3–6 players, 90 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. It was designed by James Ernest and its main mechanics are Trading, Roll / Spin and Move, and Modular Board.
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About the game
Dear Diary: The best things in life are free. Other people's things. -- I think it's a shame that Doctor Goettsch owns so many nice things, but never has the time to use them. It's almost like I'm doing him a favor when I borrow his golf clubs. Now at least he knows they're getting some use. And if he ever actually needs them, he knows where to find me. I'm sleeping on the floor at Anthony's house. He's a Gambler, and he's got the best leftovers in town! And those silk suits he never wears are almost all my size. Tomorrow I should figure out where he keeps the keys to that car he never drives. Freeloader is a game celebrating the glorious pastime of living off other people's success. Players spend the game roaming the neighborhood, doing favors for their "friends" in exchange for great loaner stuff like the Doctor's Car, the Artist's clothes, or the Waitress' leftover food. To win the game you have to collect Food, Clothing, and Shelter before the deck runs out. It's all worth points, and whoever has the most points wins. Freeloader is the best of what Cheapass Games does: a simple, entertaining board game with decent strategy and a rock-bottom price tag. The game was designed by James Ernest and illustrated by Cheyenne Wright, and it's a total hoot. But hey, don't just take our word for it. Borrow it from your friends and play it for yourself. Awards 2003 Listed in GAMES Magazine's GAMES 100
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Cheapass Games
Questions and answers
Freeloader supports 3–6 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Freeloader is 90 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Freeloader for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Freeloader has a complexity rating of 1.6 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Freeloader belongs to these categories: Card Game, Humor, and Abstract Strategy. Its main mechanics are Trading, Roll / Spin and Move, and Modular Board. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Freeloader are: James Ernest. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Freeloader as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.