Espionage Games
Browse all Espionage board games in the Meeple Pulse database.
Styles
AbstractAbstract StrategyAdventureAge of ReasonAmerican WestAncientAnimalsAviation / FlightBluffingCard GameChildren's GameCity BuildingCivilizationCo-operativeCollectible ComponentsComic Book / StripCompetitiveDeductionDiceEconomicEducationalElectronicEnvironmentalEuroExpansion for Base-gameExplorationFamilyFan ExpansionFantasyFarmingFightingHistoricalHorrorHumorIndustry / ManufacturingMazeMedicalMedievalMedium HeavyMiniaturesModern WarfareMovies / TV / Radio themeMusicMythologyNapoleonicNauticalNegotiationNumberPartyParty GamePiratesPoliticalPost-NapoleonicPrehistoricPrint & PlayPuzzlePuzzle-LikeRacingReal-timeRenaissanceScience FictionSpace ExplorationSpies / Secret AgentsSportsStrategyTerritory BuildingThematicTrainsTransportationTravelTriviaVideo Game ThemeWargameWord GameWorld War II
Themes
AbstractAdventureAncientAnimalsArea ControlArtAviationBusinessCard GameCity BuildingCo-operativeCombatComic BookCompetitiveCooperativeCrimeEconomicEducationalEmergency ManagementEnvironmentalEnvironmentalismEspionageExplorationFantasyFarmingFightingHigh Player InteractionHistoricalHorrorHumorIndustry / ManufacturingIntrigueLiteraryMagicMarvelMedievalModernMuseumMusicMysteryMythologyNatureNauticalParty GamePoliticalPress Your LuckPuzzleRacingSatireSci-FiScience FictionSocial CommentarySocial InteractionSpaceSportsStrategySuperheroesThematicTravelWarWesternWord-Guessing
Mechanics
3D PlacementActingAction / DexterityAction DraftingAction Point AllowanceAction Point Allowance SystemAction Point SystemAction PointsAction ProgrammingAction QueueAction RetrievalAction SelectionAction/EventAdvantage TokenAlliancesAlternate ActivationApp-AssistedApp-DrivenArea ControlArea InfluenceArea MajorityArea Majority / InfluenceArea MovementArgumentationAsymmetricAsymmetric FactionsAsymmetric GameAsymmetric PowersAsymmetrical PowersAuction & BiddingAuction / BiddingAuction CompensationAuction/BiddingAuction: DutchAuction: Fixed PlacementAuction: Multiple LotAuction: Once AroundAuction: Sealed BidAuctioningAutomatic Resource GrowthBag BuildingBettingBetting and BluffingBetting and WageringBetting and WagersBiasBiddingBingoBlind BiddingBluffingCampaign / Battle Card DrivenCampaign / LegacyCampaign / Legacy GameCampaign / Mission-basedCampaign / ScenariosCampaign GameCampaign PlayCard DraftingCard DrawingCard DrivenCard Driven ActionCard Driven CombatCard Driven Dice AllocationCard Driven MovementCard ManagementCard PlayCard Play / Hand ManagementCard Play Conflict ResolutionCard SheddingCard-Driven MovementCharacter CreationCharacter ProgressionChit-Pull SystemClosed DraftingCo-op PlayCo-operative GameCo-operative PlayCode-breakingCombat ResolutionCombo ChainCommand CardsCommodity SpeculationCommunication LimitsConnectionsConstrained BiddingContract FulfillmentContractsCooperative GameCooperative GameplayCooperative PlayCooperative Trick-takingCritical Hits and FailuresDebateDeck BuildingDeck ConstructionDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDeck-BuildingDeductionDelayed PurchaseDexterityDice DraftingDice DrivenDice PlacementDice RollingDie Icon ResolutionDiplomatic InfluenceDraftingDynamic Battle SystemEnclosureEnd Game BonusesEngine BuildingEngine-BuildingEscape RoomEvent DrivenEventsExplorationFarmingFlip and WriteFollowFollow ActionGrid CoverageGrid MovementHand ManagementHex-and-CounterHexagon GridHidden MovementHidden RolesI Cut You ChooseIncomeInfluence / Area MajorityInterruptsInvestmentKing of the HillLadder ClimbingLegacyLegacy ElementsLegacy GameLegacy SystemLimited CommunicationLine DrawingLine of SightLoansLose a TurnMancalaMap AdditionMap MovementMap ReductionMarketMarket DraftingMarket ManipulationMarket MechanicMarket SpeculationMatchingMeasurement MovementMelding and SplayingMemoryMission ObjectivesModular BoardModular Board ConstructionMove Through DeckMovement PointsMovement TemplatesMoving Multiple UnitsMulti-Use CardsMulti-use CardsMultiple ScenariosMust FollowNarrative ChoiceNarrative Choice / ParagraphNegotiationNegotiation MechanicsNeighbor ScopeNetwork & Route BuildingNetwork BuildingNetwork and Route BuildingOnce-Per-Game AbilitiesOne vs ManyOne vs. ManyOpen DraftingOrderingOwnershipPaper-and-PencilPartnershipsPattern BuildingPattern MovementPattern RecognitionPick-up and DeliverPlayer EliminationPlayer InteractionPlayer JudgePoint SaladPoint to Point MovementPolyominoesProgrammed MovementPush Your LuckPush-Your-LuckPuzzlePuzzle-LikePuzzle-SolvingRaceRe-rolling and LockingReal-TimeRecipe FulfillmentResource ManagementResource to MoveRole PlayingRole SelectionRoles with Asymmetric InformationRoll / Spin and MoveRondelRoute BuildingRoute-BuildingRoute/Network BuildingSanity SystemScenario / Campaign PlayScenario / Mission / Campaign GameScenario / Mission FunctionSecret Unit DeploymentSemi-Cooperative GameSet CollectionSheddingSimulationSimultaneous ActionSimultaneous Action SelectionSimultaneous Hidden AllocationSingingSlide / PushSocial DeductionSocial InteractionSolo / Solitaire GameSpace ExplorationSpellingSquare GridStat Check / Skill CheckStat Check ResolutionStock HoldingStorytellingStrategic PlanningTableau BuildingTactical Decision-MakingTagsTake ThatTargeted CluesTeam PlayTeam-Based GameTeam-Based GuessingTeamworkTech TreesTech Trees / Tech TracksTechnology & Armament TracksTechnology TreeTension & Aggression TracksTile DraftingTile LayingTile PlacementTime TrackTime TravelTower DefenseTrack MovementTradingTraitor GameTrick-takingTug of WarTurn Order: Claim ActionTurn Order: PassTurn Order: Pass OrderTurn Order: ProgressiveTurn Order: Stat-BasedTurn Order: Time TrackUnit PlacementVariable Phase OrderVariable Player PowersVariable Set-upVariable SetupVictory Point TracksVictory Points as a ResourceVotingWord AssociationWord GameWord GuessingWord-GuessingWord-guessingWordplayWorker PlacementWorker Placement with Dice WorkersWorker Placement, Different Worker TypesZone of Control

RANK #11,439
Chasing Shadows
2025In Chasing Shadows, players navigate the treacherous world of espionage, where every move could be their last. The goal is simple yet deceptively complex: avoid taking tricks and minimize your score to emerge victorious. Each player starts with a hand of cards, each representing a different suit. As the game progresses, players must carefully choose which suits they will follow, knowing that forcing another player into a difficult position could backfire on them. The tension builds as the pool of available cards dwindles, and players must strategize to outmaneuver their opponents while keeping their own cards hidden in the shadows.
The game's mechanics revolve around trick-taking with a twist. Unlike traditional card games where taking tricks is generally beneficial, here it’s a risky move that could cost you points. Players can use this knowledge to their advantage by drafting specific cards that will nullify their previous gains, adding an element of risk and reward that keeps the game dynamic and engaging. The unique scoring system ensures that players are constantly thinking several moves ahead, as taking even one trick can set them back significantly.
What makes Chasing Shadows truly captivating is its blend of strategy and deception. Players must not only think about their own cards but also anticipate what their opponents might do next. This high level of interaction creates a thrilling experience that keeps players on the edge of their seats, wondering if they will be the one to fall into the spotlight or remain hidden in the shadows.
3-5 40m⚖️ 1.7