The Frogames review
A two-player War of Independence: your deck grows as you take States
Three Redcoats pin your Militia in New York: you hide them, and the battle never happens.
Washington attempts to cross the Delaware as the American cause falters. One player leads the United States with Continentals and Militia, the other the British Empire with Redcoats and Fleets, fighting over 14 States.
On your turn you play cards to move and recruit, fight wherever units meet, take State cards where you have Loyalty markers, then draw back up to five. The American wins by placing 8 Independence markers, the British by eliminating every Continental.
Released in 2026, designed by Mariusz Rosik and Łukasz Włodarczyk, published by PHALANX. Artwork by Mihajlo Dimitrievski and Bartłomiej Jędrzejewski, with historical consultancy by Jason Matthews.
Category:Deck-building game · Wargame · 2 giocatori
At a glance
Why we like it. The map and the deck are tied together: to get a State card you have to bring your units there, so every move also shapes your future cards. The two sides win in opposite ways, and hidden Militia force the British to use their Fleets to chase an enemy that keeps slipping away.
Good to know. The cards have English text and symbols, and the exceptions for hidden Militia, Fleets and Benedict Arnold mean you'll want the rulebook close at hand for your first few games.
What kind of gameFrogScore + Luckcard draws, but dice-free battles Strategydeck, Leaders and War cards Interactionbattles and a race for the States Pacelong turns, defender responds Replayability2 Events out of 5 per side Rated by Frogames · from the rules · what the levels mean
We set the levels by reading the rules, always with the same yardstick: a 3 means the same on every game.
- you decide
- mostly you
- half and half
- often chance
- chance decides
- one choice per turn
- plan a few turns
- plan half the game
- build for later
- the whole game is a plan
- each to their own
- you compete for things
- you get in the way
- you hit each other
- you attack each other
- lots of waiting
- long turns
- medium turns
- short turns
- you play together
- always the same
- card order changes
- part of it changes
- a lot changes
- every game is different
How to play
- 1Play and moveUse cards and Leaders to recruit, move units and repeat actions with colours.
- 2Fight in the StatesWhere units meet, add up their Strength and add a face-down card.
- 3Take State cardsWith a unit on the Loyalty marker, take the card: into your hand, the discard pile or the War.
- 4Complete your StrategyWin instantly by meeting the condition on one of your Strategy cards: Independence or Continentals eliminated.
What’s in the box
- 20 basic Action cards (10 American and 10 British)
- 28 State cards (14 American and 14 British)
- 10 Event cards (5 American and 5 British)
- 8 Leader cards (4 American and 4 British)
- 10 Strategy cards (5 American and 5 British)
Questions about Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown
How do you win at Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown?+
Whoever meets the condition on one of their own Strategy cards wins instantly. The American starts with 8 Independence markers and wins once they're all placed on the map; the British win if every Continental is off the board. Other Strategy cards in the War deck add alternative routes to victory. If both players win at the same time, the British win.
How much English do you need for Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown?+
You need to be able to read English, as this is the English edition and the cards have written effects. Many effects also use symbols explained in the table at the back of the rulebook, but War, Leader and State cards carry text you'll need to understand during play.
Is Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown hard to learn?+
The turn is clear, but there are plenty of exceptions. There are four phases (Action, Battle, Loyalty, Draw), but you need to remember rules such as hidden Militia, pinning units, movement along Fleets and the American Benedict Arnold, who must be activated every turn. The rulebook has a section devoted to commonly forgotten rules.
Does Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown hold up over many plays?+
Yes, because part of the setup changes every game. The order of the State deck changes, and with it the available cards and Loyalty markers, as does each player's War deck: per side, 1 Strategy, 2 Events out of 5 and 2 Leaders. Playing both sides gives you two different ways to wage war.
Are there dice in Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown?+
No, there are no dice. Battles are resolved by adding up the Strength of the units, the Leaders and one card played face down by each player; ties go to the defender. Luck comes only from card draws and the State deck.
Can you play Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown with more than two or solo?+
No, the game is for 2 players only. One leads the United States in blue, the other the British Empire in red, and there's no solo mode.
How long does a game of Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown take?+
A game lasts 45 to 60 minutes. It can end sooner, as victory is immediate the moment a player meets a condition on one of their Strategy cards.
Is Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown suitable for children?+
The recommended age is 14 and up. The game asks you to manage your deck, committed cards, units on the map and various exceptions, as well as reading English.
What's in the box of Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown?+
There's a game board, 76 cards and 33 wooden units. The cards are 48 Action cards (20 basic and 28 State) and 28 War cards; the units are 10 Militia, 7 Continentals, 12 Redcoats and 4 Fleets. It's rounded off by 8 Independence markers, 1 Storm marker, 10 wooden Loyalty markers, 8 Activation markers and two player aids.
How do the two sides differ in Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown?+
The two sides move and win in different ways. The Americans have mobile units and Militia that can hide to avoid battles; the British have Redcoats that are slow overland but carried along the coast by chains of Fleets. The American spreads Independence, while the British aim to eliminate the Continentals.
What are the War cards for in Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown?+
They're the most powerful cards in the game. You pay for them by removing cards committed to the War from the game, you can play at most one per turn, and they bring historical Events, new Leaders or new Strategies with alternative victory conditions.
Who created Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown?+
The game is by Mariusz Rosik and Łukasz Włodarczyk, published by PHALANX in 2026. The artwork is by Mihajlo Dimitrievski and Bartłomiej Jędrzejewski, with historical consultancy by Jason Matthews.
“Two armies that couldn't be more different, and a deck born from the map: every State you take changes your hand.”
Who is behind Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown
Who designed it, who drew it, who publishes it, and what else they made.
All the BoardGameGeek data released 2026 · #0 overall · Powered by BoardGameGeek +
- Rating
- 7,62/10 · 8 ratings
- Rank
- #0 overall
- Complexity
- 0,0/5
- Year
- 2026
- Designers
- Mariusz Rosik, Łukasz Włodarczyk
- Artists
- Mihajlo Dimitrievski, Bartek Jędrzejewski
- Categories
- Carte
- Mechanics
- Action / Event, Area Majority / Influence, Area Movement, Campaign / Battle Card Driven, Deck, Bag, and Pool Building
Powered by BoardGameGeek
Independence: Patriots vs. the Crown in short. A 2-player game by Mariusz Rosik and Łukasz Włodarczyk, published by PHALANX in 2026. A game lasts 45–60 minutes, recommended age 14 and up. The two sides fight and win in opposite ways, and each player's deck grows with the States they reach on the map. English edition, available at Frogames.it
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers you're looking for, no beating around the bush.
📸Do the images match the actual product?
The photos on the website often come from BoardGameGeek and are intended to give you an idea of the game. They may vary slightly from the version you receive. The content declared by the publisher is always binding.
📦Does the content of the box match what is indicated?
We always strive to provide the correct content, but minor variations are possible due to reprints or updates. The information comes directly from the publishers. If you have any questions, please contact us!
⏳How do pre-orders work?
Pre-order the game before release, payment is immediate, and the game is reserved for you. As soon as it arrives, we'll ship it right away! If there are any delays, we'll update you promptly.
🔒Can I trust buying here?
Absolutely! Secure payments, tracked shipments, and a team that loves board games as much as you do. If something goes wrong, we'll do our best to fix it.
🛠There's a problem with my order, what should I do?
Write to us now! Whether it's a missing part, damage, or an error, we'll help you resolve it as soon as possible. Your experience truly matters to us.