Bequest (2021)

I, Dr. Schism, being of sinister mind and not-bad body, leave one bequest to my underlings. The gift of petty conflict!

In Bequest, players will strategically split Dr. Schism’s fortune with their villainous neighbors! Each player draws five Asset cards, and splits them into two piles for the player on your right, who will choose one to keep, leaving you the other, while you do the same with the piles split by the player on your left. Once everyone has chosen, you’ll collect your spoils, and soon another round will begin, this time going in the other direction!

With a variety of different Asset types to collect, you’ll be keeping a close eye on your neighbors to figure out what they’re looking for, and how badly they need it. You’ll collect matching gadgets for exponentially increasing $ values, Hideouts for set $ values, and try to avoid ending up with Evidence, which count as -$3 each once you have three or more. Global Influence earns you $10 or $20 provided you have more than your neighbors, and Schemes provide unique scoring conditions based on the rest of your collection.

One Asset type is Keys to Dr. Schism’s vault, each with a spot in the drafting order for Special Asset cards, which include the Schemes, and powerful versions of the other card types. Will you pick the smaller pile with a Key, and a chance to claim Dr. Schism’s $5 Space Station hideout? Or play it safe with a Bunker and two power cores?

Bequest packs a ton of strategy into what looks like simple decisions. Will you be clever enough to walk away with the lion’s share of Dr. Schism’s estate, and become the next great supervillain?

—description from the publisher