- BGG rank
- BGG #6,319
- BGG rating
- 6.6
The Alpha
- 3–6 players
- 20–45 min
- Complexity 1.5/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #11,871
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Shadow Network
2023
Rules assistance for Shadow Network
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 75–90 min
- 14+
- Complexity 3.0/5
Rules assistant for Shadow Network
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Shadow Network is a board game released in 2023 for 1–5 players, 75–90 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. It was designed by Ralph Rosario and its main mechanics are Open Drafting, Contracts, and Worker Placement.
Similar games
- BGG rank
- BGG #63
- BGG rating
- 8.0
Anachrony
- 1–4 players
- 30–120 min
- Complexity 4.0/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #87
- BGG rating
- 8.0
The Gallerist
- 1–4 players
- 60–150 min
- Complexity 4.2/5
- 2015
- BGG rank
- BGG #133
- BGG rating
- 7.7
Architects of the West Kingdom
- 1–5 players
- 60–80 min
- Complexity 2.8/5
- 2018
- BGG rank
- BGG #276
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Nations
- 1–5 players
- 40–200 min
- Complexity 3.5/5
- 2013
- BGG rank
- BGG #317
- BGG rating
- 8.5
Nippon: Zaibatsu
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.6/5
- 2026
- BGG rank
- BGG #382
- BGG rating
- 7.7
The Manhattan Project: Energy Empire
- 1–5 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.1/5
- 2016
- BGG rank
- BGG #487
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Honey Buzz
- 1–4 players
- 45–90 min
- Complexity 2.7/5
- 2020
- BGG rank
- BGG #500
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Altiplano
- 2–5 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 2017
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,121
- BGG rating
- 7.2
Akrotiri
- 2 players
- 45 min
- Complexity 2.6/5
- 2014
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,872
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Amalfi: Renaissance
- 1–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 2023
- BGG rank
- BGG #2,386
- BGG rating
- 7.0
Steam Time
- 2–4 players
- 90 min
- Complexity 2.9/5
- 2015
About the game
1960. Cold War is upon the world. In the dark shadows, agencies are gathering intelligence on financial institutions, political figures, military installations, and top-secret technology advancements. However, where one agency thinks they exclusive access on intel, leaks within the network cause information to spill around the world. Which agency will be able to gather enough intel on their high profile targets and at what costs? Who will have built the best Shadow Network? Shadow Network is a worker placement style game where players are deploying their agents around the globe collecting fragments of intel. These fragments are then promoted to an actionable state that can be used against a high profile target and earning player's influence — the currency in the game. As the players gather intel from a city, intel is also leaked to other cities thereby potentially helping other agencies. Additional agents can be deployed but at a cost. Furthermore, handlers can assist with exchanging intel thereby giving the agency the leg up. At end of four rounds of play, agencies will bribe their high profile targets for more influence. In the end the player with the most influence is the winner. —description from the publisher
Editions
- Shadow NetworkenTalon Strikes Studios LLC2023
- Shadow NetworkenTalon Strikes Studios LLC2023
Categories
Designers
Publishers
- Talon Strikes Studios LLC
Questions and answers
Shadow Network supports 1–5 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 Shadow Network is 75–90 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 Shadow Network for ages 14 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.
Shadow Network has a complexity rating of 3.0 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight 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.
Shadow Network belongs to these categories: Economic and Spies / Secret Agents. Its main mechanics are Open Drafting, Contracts, and Worker Placement. 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 Shadow Network are: Ralph Rosario. 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 Shadow Network 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.