Introduction
As a family, we are always looking for games that are quick to learn but still offer an enjoyable challenge. Odin's Ravens is a two-player racing game inspired by Norse mythology, where players compete to help one of Odin's ravens be the first to complete a journey around the landscape.
We approached Odin's Ravens as a simple 2 player strategy game that could be played in a short amount of time, making it ideal for evenings when we wanted something engaging without committing to a longer game. Although the rules are straightforward, there is more tactical decision-making than first appears.
Unboxing
This game comes in a small box with a great design that matches the Norse theme. There are not many components, which makes it feel much less daunting when you first open the box.
My only complaint is that the playing cards are the same size and shape as the landscape cards. While the backs have different patterns, a slight variation in their design would have made them much easier to separate. Added to this, the box does not include any dividers, so all of the cards end up mixed together every time the game is packed away.
Set up
Setup is reasonably straightforward each player draws a character and gets 5 cards. The landscape cards are arranged to create the racecourse, each player chooses a raven, and the starting hands are dealt. The variety of landscape cards means the course changes every game, providing a different layout each time you play.
After one or two games, the setup becomes much easier as you become familiar with the layout. It is not overly complicated, but it does require a little more attention compared to simpler games.
Game play
The aim of Odin's Ravens is to guide your raven around the course before your opponent. Players use cards to move their raven to different terrain types while also using special cards to alter the landscape or slow their opponent's progress.
Although the rules are simple, there are some interesting decisions throughout the game. Choosing whether to use a powerful card immediately or save it for later can make a significant difference, and timing often becomes just as important as the cards themselves.
One aspect we particularly enjoyed was that every race felt slightly different because the landscape changes each game. This encourages players to adapt their strategy rather than relying on the same approach every time.
Because the turns are quick and there is very little downtime, the game maintains a fast pace throughout and rarely outstays its welcome.
Suitability
Odin's Ravens is best suited to players looking for a dedicated two-player game. It works well for families with older children, couples, or anyone wanting a game that offers tactical decisions without a complicated ruleset.
Younger players can learn the game quickly, although making the best use of the cards may take a few plays. More experienced gamers may find it lighter than many modern strategy games, but it still offers enough meaningful decisions to remain enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
Odin's Ravens is an easy game to learn that combines simple mechanics with thoughtful decision-making. The changing landscape keeps each race feeling fresh, while the short playtime makes it easy to fit into almost any game night.
While it is not the deepest two-player game available, it succeeds in offering an enjoyable balance of strategy, interaction, and accessibility. We found ourselves returning to it because it is quick to set up, plays in under 30 minutes, and always creates a close and competitive race.
