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Deck of Mandate

A minimalist strategy game where every decision shuffles the fate of a young republic. Lead the republic through 24 turns while balancing the pillars on which the republic is founded. Survive 24 volatile turns without tipping any of your four meters into ruin — or power.

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September 22, 2025
314 days ago
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About the Game

With the monarchy overthrown, a young republic is born. It falls on you, as the head of the ruling council, to lead this fragile republic through uncertainty, ambition, and unrest - while surviving the weight of your own choices.

Deck of Mandate is a minimalist political strategy game set in a fictional medieval republic. Each run presents you with 24 randomly drawn scenarios, and each scenario offers only two stark choices. Every decision of yours can affect any of the four pillars on which this republic was founded:

  • Power – your personal authority as council head

  • Stability – stability through law, order, and security

  • Support – the will and backing of the people

  • Wealth – the republic's treasury, resources, and assets

Every decision of yours echoes, tilting the pillars one way. Tip the value of any pillar to 0 or 100, and your legacy ends in flames - from rebellion, tyranny, chaos, or ruin. Victory only comes by maintaining a balanced rule.

  • Multiple hand-crafted decision cards

  • New cards unlock every few runs, offering replayability

  • Randomized card draws ensure each run is a new political mess

  • No hints, no "right" answers or choices - only compromise

Can you hold the republic together by balancing power, support, stability, and wealth, or will you end up watching your rule fall apart again and again?

Mess up, and it’s game over — no second chances. Push any meter too far, and you’re out. Maybe the people revolt. Maybe you turn into a tyrant. Or maybe everything just falls apart.

  • Multiple unique decision cards

  • Every run is different — and keeps getting fresher

  • New cards unlock the more you play

  • No meter hints, no safe choices — only your gut

Think you’ve got what it takes to keep the republic together?

Let’s see how long your rule lasts.