Lock Up - Jeu de plateau (FR)

*French version

Lock Up - Board Game (FR) takes players deep into Kulbak Prison, a brutal fortress where captured minions from the Dragul invasion of Nalos are locked away. In this competitive strategy game set in the world of Roll Player, each player commands a faction of prisoners fighting to become the most feared and respected crew before King Taron's annual inspection.

Players control rival clans of Gnolls, Kobolds, Bugbears, Goblins, or Insectoids, each seeking to gain reputation and earn the chance to fight for freedom in the royal coliseum. Across six rounds, players recruit new goons, craft contraband, gather resources, and expand their influence throughout the prison's dangerous corridors.

At the heart of the game lies a clever worker placement system with hidden information. Some members of your crew are placed face up, revealing their strength, while others remain hidden to bluff and surprise opponents. This constant uncertainty creates intense psychological battles where predicting enemy moves becomes just as important as managing your own plans and keeping suspicion low.

Each round unfolds through multiple phases where players resolve prison areas, recruit criminals, and strengthen their engine of resources and abilities. However, attracting too much attention from the Construct guards may trigger raids and searches capable of destroying your carefully prepared strategy. The balance between influence, management, and bluffing gives Lock Up a satisfying level of strategic depth.

You will probably enjoy Lock Up if you appreciate worker placement games that remain accessible while offering meaningful tactical decisions. Its dark fantasy setting, constant player interaction, and hidden placement mechanics create an immersive experience equally enjoyable for intermediate and experienced strategy gamers.

The game takes place in the same universe as Roll Player and Cartographers, two acclaimed Thunderworks Games titles. This connection further expands the rich world of Ulos, known for its dark fantasy atmosphere and memorable factions.

Lock Up was designed by Stan Kordonskiy and illustrated by JJ Ariosa and Lucas Ribeiro. Nominated for the 2020 Origins Awards, the game is praised for its balance between accessibility, strategic tension, and thematic immersion.

Number of players: 1 to 5
Playing time: 45 to 90 minutes
Age: 10+