
- BGG rank
- BGG #25,332
- BGG rating
- 5.9
Mafia
- 3–5 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 1.8/5
- 1981

1988
Rules assistance for Past Lives
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Past Lives is a board game released in 1988 for 2–8 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Brad Geagley and its main mechanics are Set Collection, Roll / Spin and Move, and Track Movement.
A roll-and-move game, close to a party game (Avalon Hill!), where players try to go back in the past to find out who they were before reincarnation...
Past Lives supports 2–8 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 Past Lives is 60 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 Past Lives for ages 8 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.
Past Lives has a complexity rating of 1.4 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.
Past Lives belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Humor, and Economic. Its main mechanics are Set Collection, Roll / Spin and Move, and Track Movement. 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 Past Lives are: Brad Geagley. 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 Past Lives 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.