Queen by Midnight: An awesome card game

Alright, gather around the table, folks, because it’s time to dive into the magical, chaotic, and

downright dazzling world of Queen by Midnight—a tabletop game that’s part deck-building,

part battle royale, and all-around fabulous. Imagine a royal rumble where princesses aren’t just sipping tea and waving from carriages but are instead scheming, brawling, and casting spells to claim the throne. If that sounds like your kind of party, then buckle up, because this game is a wild ride, and I’m here to give you the full, fun, and detailed lowdown!

Let’s set the scene: the Midnight Queen is dead (RIP, Your Majesty), and her dying wish is a

twisted one—invoke the Rule by Midnight, a trial of combat and guile where the princesses of the Twelve Lands must battle it out in secret to claim the crown. The clock is ticking (literally), and by midnight, only one princess will be left standing—or, failing that, the one with the most clout and health combined will take the throne. It’s a premise dripping with drama, and the game delivers on that promise with flair.

What makes Queen by Midnight stand out right from the jump is its commitment to theme.

You’re not just playing a game; you’re stepping into a fairy tale gone rogue, where princesses inspired by classic stories (think Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, Rapunzel, and more) are reimagined as fierce, tactical powerhouses. Each princess has her own unique playstyle, deck, and ultimate abilities, ensuring that no two games feel quite the same. Whether you’re summoning dragons, transforming into monsters, or just punching your opponents into next week, this game is all about embracing your inner royal rebel.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the clock tower on the table. The

centerpiece of Queen by Midnight is its stunning 3D rotating clock tower, and oh boy, does it steal the show. This isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a fully functional part of gameplay. It spins to face each player on their turn, tracks the rounds, presents new cards to buy from the “bazaar,” and even doubles as a dice roller with a chute that sends your dice tumbling out in style. Building it out of the box is equal parts magical and mildly intimidating, but once it’s up, it’s a thing of

beauty. It’s sturdy, it’s gorgeous, and it makes your game night feel like a theatrical production.

The rest of the components are no slouch either. The game comes with nearly 200 princess-

themed cards, each tailored to your specific character, plus an additional 75 bazaar cards for

deck customization. The artwork is spectacular, bursting with vibrant colors and personality,

though I will note that the cards are text-heavy with no artwork—just words, words, words. This can slow things down, especially for newer players, as you’ll be squinting at dense text to figure out what your cards do. But hey, the player boards, tokens, and health/clout trackers are all top-notch, keeping the chaos organized even when the table gets heated.

One minor gripe? This game is a space hog. You’ll need a big table to accommodate the clock tower, player boards, card decks, and all the bits and bobs. If you’re playing in a cramped apartment, you might need to get creative with your setup. But honestly, the production value is so high that it’s hard to stay mad—this game knows it looks good, and it’s not shy about it.

Now, let’s get to the meat of the matter: how does Queen by Midnight actually play? In a word: chaotically. In two words: gloriously chaotically. This is a deck-building game at its core, but it’s layered with battle royale elements, diplomacy, and a ticking clock that keeps the pressure on. Here’s how it works. You win by either being the last princess standing (i.e., knocking out all your opponents) or, more commonly, by having the highest combined total of clout (the game’s currency and victory points) and health when the clock strikes midnight after a set number of rounds. Each turn, you can play cards, buy new ones, refresh your card store, or play face-down reaction cards to mess with your opponents. Cards let you attack, defend, heal, or gain clout, and many have deliciously thematic effects tied to your princess’s story.

The clock tower isn’t just for show—it dictates the pace of the game. Each round, a new bazaar cards are revealed, and as the hours tick by, certain cards and abilities become available (or unavailable), adding a layer of strategic timing.

Here’s where things get spicy. At the start of the game, you secretly pledge fealty to another

princess. If you die, you become their “inner circle” supporter, gaining new actions to help them win—and if they win, you win too. This adds a layer of bluffing and alliances, as you decide whether to attack the princess you’re secretly loyal to or throw suspicion off your trail by going after them. The deck-building itself is a bit restrictive compared to classics like Dominion or Ascension. Everyone starts with the same basic deck of money cards, and while each princess has her own unique cards to buy, the game’s pacing can feel slow in the early rounds. You start with limited offensive options and a strong defensive card, which means the first half of the game is often about building your deck rather than throwing punches. This setup works thematically—after all, a good queen needs to prepare before she conquers—but it can drag, especially with larger groups, as players pore over text-heavy cards and strategize their next moves.

Once the game hits the “sixth hour,” though, things ramp up. This is when diplomacy kicks into high gear, and the table erupts into negotiations, betrayals, and outright brawls. The inner circle

mechanic is a stroke of genius, solving the player elimination problem that plagues many battle royale games. Instead of sitting out, eliminated players become powerful allies, wielding special actions that can swing the game in their chosen princess’s favor. It’s a brilliant way to keep everyone engaged, and it adds a layer of deterrence—do you really want to knock out that player if it means they’ll come back swinging as a vengeful supporter.

The heart of *Queen by Midnight* is its roster of princesses, each with her own unique playstyle and thematic flair. From the brawler who charges into battle on horseback to the sorceress who summons dragons, every character feels distinct and flavorful. The game draws inspiration from classic fairy tales but twists them into something darker and more empowering—think less

“damsel in distress” and more “damsel who distresses everyone else.” This inclusivity and

variety are huge strengths, making the game feel fresh even after multiple plays, as you

experiment with different princesses and strategies.

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That said, some princesses can feel a bit overpowered, especially in the hands of a skilled

player. Balance isn’t perfect, but the game’s chaotic nature means strategy and alliances can

often overcome raw power. And honestly, the fun of *Queen by Midnight* isn’t in perfect

balance—it’s in the wild swings, the dramatic betrayals, and the moment when you finally

unleash your ultimate ability and watch the table erupt in cheers (or groans).

Here’s the catch: Queen by Midnight is not the easiest game to teach or learn, especially if

you’re playing with a full group of six. The rulebook, while comprehensive, can be frustratingly dense, and the setup process is slow going, with multiple decks to sort and a clock tower to assemble. Figuring out which cards go where and understanding the nuances of each princess’s abilities take time, and your first game is likely to stretch well beyond the advertised 60–90 minutes (think more like 3–4 hours with a big group of newbies).

But here’s the good news: once you get the hang of it, the game flows smoothly, and the replay value is off the charts. The variety of princesses, the ever-changing bazaar, and the fealty mechanic ensure that no two games are alike. Plus, the updated rulebook (available digitally for early buyers) smooths out some of the rough edges, making subsequent plays much easier.

👑 Which princess would YOU choose to rule the Midnight Court?

• Queen Ilyse – The Clever Strategist
• Queen Naevys – The Vengeful Sorceress
• Queen Tabitha – The Wildcard Trickster
• Queen Muetra – The Ruthless General

See All Options

So, is Queen by Midnight worth your time and table space? Absolutely, if you’re a fan of deck-builders, battle royales, or just games that ooze theme and personality. It’s a game that revels in its excess—excessive drama, excessive components, excessive fun. The clock tower alone is worth the price of admission, turning every game night into a spectacle, and the princesses are a delight to play, offering endless variety and replayability.

That said, it’s not perfect. The slow early game, text-heavy cards, and steep learning curve

might turn off casual players, and the restrictive deck-building can feel underwhelming

compared to genre giants. The bazaar, while a cool concept, often goes underused due to the tight clout economy, and the game’s pacing can feel uneven, especially with larger groups. But these flaws are overshadowed by the sheer joy of the experience—the alliances, the betrayals, the moment when you finally land that game-changing ultimate ability and declare yourself the rightful queen. Queen by Midnight is a glittering gem in the tabletop world, a game that’s as beautiful as it is chaotic, as strategic as it is silly. It’s not the most accessible deck builder out there, but if you’re willing to put in the time to learn it, you’ll be rewarded with a game that’s fit for royalty. So gather your court, set up that clock tower, and prepare to scheme, brawl, and cast your way to

victory—just don’t forget to watch your back, because in this game, even your allies might be

plotting your downfall. Long live the queen—whichever one of you earns the crown!

Queen by Midnight: Final Grade A-