Pagan: Fate of Roanoke - Game Review

Title: Pagan: Fate of Roanoke

Designed By: Kasper Kjær Christiansen and Kåre Storgaard

Art By: Maren Gutt

Published By: Capstone Games

Released: 2022

Player Count: 2

Time to Play: 45-60 Minutes (longer if one player has likes to think a lot...looking at you Mr. Pudgy Cat and our 2 hour games)

Ages: 12+

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Overview:

Pagan: Fate of Roanoke is a one-on-one, highly asymmetric game set in the mysterious colony of Roanoke in 1587. One player becomes a cunning witch, secretly spreading influence to complete a nature-based ritual, while the other plays the relentless witch hunter, trying to uncover the witch’s identity before it’s too late. With unique decks, objectives, and playstyles, each game feels like a battle of wits and willpower—half poker bluff, half Sherlock Holmes.

What's purr-ty cool:

Thematic Asymmetry That Feels Like Two Different Games

At its core, Pagan is a cat-and-mouse game where both sides feel completely distinct. Playing as the witch means you’re bluffing, sneaking around, and trying to make your moves look harmless. The witch hunter, on the other hand, leans into deduction—studying behavior, gathering clues, and making bold accusations. It’s like Clue, Poker, and Chess had a baby. Each role demands a totally different mindset, which keeps every match fresh and full of tension.

Tough Strategic Decisions

Turns alternate between players where some moves are only available to one player, but the twist lies in the town. Each of the nine villagers is tied to an action space, and once one is used, it’s locked until the visiting player is cleared off. This creates a fascinating complex puzzle—do you visit where you need to go, or where you have to go just to block your opponent? There’s a strategic rhythm here that rewards planning several turns ahead, and it makes each round feel like a mini chess match with hidden information. Players who enjoy games with forward thinking, will love this one.

Deckbuilding and Customization Galore

With expansions, Pagan opens up into a rich deckbuilding playground. Not only can you tailor your deck for your witch or hunter, but you also get to choose three townsfolk to include in the game—ones that best match your strategy. It’s like brewing your own potion: a pinch of synergy here, a dash of denial there, and suddenly you’ve got a totally new game on your hands. This flexibility makes replayability high because there are so many different builds for each character and townsfolk combination.

Top 10

It has been awhile since I played a new game that immediately worked it's way into my top 10 games, but if I had to cut my collection down to 10 games tomorrow, Pagan: Fate of Roanoke would be one of the games I keep. I think I could play this game hundreds of times and never tire of it. The rules are simple enough to learn, but mastery is going to take a long time. There is a ton of strategy and I think it is a remarkably fun game. There are even going to be game leagues with special promos, similar to how Dice Throne does them. I really hope my local game store hosts some competitions! Now, I just need a BGA adaption so that I can practice in my free time with online friends.

The cat's meow:

"Playing the witch in Pagan is like batting ornaments off the shelf while pretending to nap—sneaky, satisfying, and if you do it just right, no one sees it coming until it’s too late." - Solo the Spokescat

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Disclosure: Pudgy Cat Games was provided a copy of this game in exchange for a review, however, this review reflects the honest thoughts of the author.