81

Iliad is a two-player tile-placement strategy game by Reiner Knizia that reimagines the Trojan War as a tactical duel between Achilles and Hector. Players select tiles from their hand and place them on the board to compete for majority control in rows and columns in this draw-one, place-one set collection game.

81

The Verdict

based on 16 reviews

Positive 0%
Mixed 0%
Simple to learn rules with surprising strategic nuance.
A great balance of exciting, tactical gameplay.
Evocative and thematically engaging art and visual design.
Quick playing time, making it an excellent 'filler' game.
Tense, rewarding, and surprisingly nuanced gameplay.
Lacks the variety or depth to be a classic for some players.
Component quality, particularly the cloth board and cardboard tiles, is a concern for durability.
The gameplay can feel too tactical and repetitive for those who prefer deep strategic experiences.
The abstract nature of the game may not appeal to everyone.
95
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
The Dice Tower, Mike Dilisio, Chris YiVideo

The Dice Tower provides a comprehensive review of 'Iliad', a two-player abstract strategy game by Reiner Knizia. Reviewers Mike and Chris offer an overview, gameplay analysis, and their final thoughts, both awarding high scores to the game.

95
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Player EliminationArticle

The reviewer praises Iliad as a remarkable and original Knizia design. It's a tight, tactical abstract tile-layer where players vie for varied success tokens through strategic tile placement and powerful special abilities, creating high-stakes tension and requiring deep contemplation despite simple rules.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
AV Club, Keith LawArticle

Iliad is a tight, tactical two-player strategy game by Reiner Knizia that shares DNA with Samurai. It offers deep spatial choices, tense tile-placement dilemmas, and a quirky, balancing endgame scoring system.

90
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
Meeple Mountain, Andrew LynchArticle

Andrew Lynch praises Iliad as a fresh, nuanced, and rewarding tile-placement game by Reiner Knizia. He highlights its strategic depth, replayability, and quick playtime, which combine to offer lasting appeal and encourage thoughtful decisions.

90
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
The Family Gamers, Andrew SmithArticle

Reiner Knizia's Iliad is a tight, strategic two-player tile-placement game offering deep decision-making in a compact, gorgeous package. The reviewer praises its clever balance of area majority and set collection, making it a fantastic quick game.

90
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Space-Biff!, Dan ThurotArticle

Reiner Knizia's Iliad is a tight, thinky two-player abstract game on a 6x6 grid where players invest hoplites into rows and columns to win gods and points, blending clever strategy with tense resource management.

90
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
icv2.com, William NieblingArticle

William Niebling awards Reiner Knizia's Iliad 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising its tactical depth, fluid tile-manipulation mechanics, and lovely components, while noting that its random element and loose theme might not suit everyone.

89
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
Zatu GamesArticle

Reiner Knizia's Iliad is an intense, visually striking two-player strategic card game featuring striking plastic-free components. While the initial rules have a steep learning curve, it ultimately delivers a deeply rewarding tactical experience.

85
InferredThis reviewer didn't give a numbered score. We read the review and inferred a 0–100 score from what they said. Did we get it wrong? Please report it, we'll fix it.
Tantrum House, Will and SaraVideo

The reviewers found Iliad to be a really solid card game, particularly for two players, offering great depth and interesting decision-making, especially appealing to those who enjoy tracking cards. They did note that the small iconography could lead to analysis paralysis.

80
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
GamesRadar+Article

It’s hard to imagine there are many gamers who won’t enjoy this quick but tactical board game for 2 players

80
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
I Slay the Dragon, Jason MeyersArticle

Iliad is a Trojan-themed hand-management battle game where players strategically build armies and launch tactical attacks to claim victory cards and Helen. It offers a tight balance of card conservation, risk-reward pacing, and rock-paper-scissors combat mechanics.

78
StatedThis reviewer gave their own score. We only converted it to our 0–100 scale.
What's Eric Playing?Article

Iliad is a deceptively simple two-player abstract strategy game featuring tile-placement mechanics, tight tactical tension, and alternative win conditions tied to Greek mythology.

Stay in the loop

Fresh reviews, hyped games and top lists — straight to your inbox, once a week.

Board Game Verdict

© 2026 Board Game Verdict

AboutMethodologyEthicsFAQContact usPrivacy policy·····