Rex Regnat

Set just before the annihilation of the Polish/Lithuanian Commonwealth, players take the roles of 4 political factions negotiating a new constitution for the state using a modified trick-taking system in which every card matters. Each faction, from the moderate reformers to the absolutist reactionaries, has their own goals for the constitution, but some factions share desired policies, making for an interesting blend of selfishness and cooperation. The core system of the game is arguing issues, which pit two suits against each other. The player with initiative will select an issue that hasn't been argued this debate, and players will take turns playing a card to the issue. The highest card matching the suit of the issue will win, getting to make changes to the policies of the constitution. The lowest in-suit card takes the initiative, letting that player choose the next issue for argument. Middle cards (and off-suit cards) complain, increasing outrage and giving benefits. Should outrage grow too high, the game will end in an overthrow, with the government collapsing. —description from the designer