Thames & Kosmos - "Caesar & Cleopatra"
- Ryan Driver
- Jul 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 30
Photo above is property of Thames & Kosmos
Company: Thames & Kosmos
Game: Caesar & Cleopatra
Country: USA 🇺🇸
Language: English
Type of Game: Tabletop Games 📬
Genre: Card Game
Date Played: June 1, 2025
Difficulty (based on 2 players): 6/10
Size of Team: 2 Players (Ages 10+)
Time: Approximately 40 Mins.
Price: $19.95
🆃🅷🅴 🆂🆃🅾🆁🆈: A Journey Through Ancient Rome
Caesar & Cleopatra is a thrilling two-player strategy card game by Kosmos. Set in ancient Rome, it immerses players in the political power struggle between Julius Caesar and Queen Cleopatra. As rival leaders, we compete to win the favor of five influential Roman factions: Senators, Patricians, Legionaries, Merchants, and Priests. Our goal? To secure control over Rome’s destiny!
This review dives into the updated 2025 release, which boasts new artwork and refined game mechanics. These tweaks make the game more balanced and exciting, especially when an experienced player faces off against a newbie. For instance, the Action deck is now randomized instead of prearranged, and players start with a set Action card. This adds a fresh twist to the gameplay!
🆃🅷🅴 🅶🅰🅼🅴 🅿🅻🅰🆈: How to Play
In Caesar & Cleopatra, each player takes on the role of either Caesar or Cleopatra. The objective is to win the favor of different Roman factions while completing secret missions. The player with the most points at the end of the game emerges victorious!
Gameplay Steps:
Play Influence Cards
Place one Influence card face-down and one face-up under one or two different factions.
Optionally, play one Action card to manipulate cards, peek at your opponent’s cards, or remove them. This must be done either before or after the influence cards, not in-between.
Draw a Bust Token
Draw a Bust token from the bag. The color of the Bust determines which faction will hold a vote.
If a grey or black Bust is drawn, no vote occurs that turn.
Reveal Influence in the indicated faction. The player with the higher total wins that faction’s favor.
In case of a tie, no player wins that faction during that vote.
Draw Back Up to 6 Cards
Players can draw from either their Action card pile or their Influence card pile.
The game concludes when all faction cards have been claimed from the center of the table or when both players have exhausted their influence cards. Players then tally their scores based on:
The number of Patrician cards held
Majority of Patrician cards in a single faction
Possession of all cards of a single faction
Completion of secret missions
Whoever has the most points wins! At its core, this is still a card game. However, the addition of pulling the busts introduces a welcomed twist, adding an element of luck and suspense to the gameplay.
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
🆃🅷🅴 🅿🆄🆉🆉🅻🅴🆂: The Heart of the Game
The core puzzle of this game lies in finding a balance between being proactive and reactive. Guided by your secret mission or strategic focus on certain factions, you must constantly pivot based on your opponent’s moves. This push-and-pull creates a dynamic rhythm, keeping you engaged with every turn—there’s never really any downtime!
Action cards add another compelling layer, introducing a thrilling aspect of "push your luck." Deciding when to trigger their powers can be a real brain teaser, often feeling like a high-stakes gamble. This element of timing, suspense, and subtle bluffing adds depth to the gameplay, enhancing both its replayability and the richness of your decisions.
The expanded set of secret missions—especially compared to the original game—adds more variety and makes outcomes less predictable. That said, since you’re only ever working toward one of them, it doesn’t dominate the game. It’s more of a subtle nudge in how you approach your strategy rather than a central objective. We also liked how certain actions, like flipping the victory condition of a Patrician or vetoing a vote, can be especially potent if played at the right moment. Plus, burning through too many influence cards can bring the game to an end, adding a nice tension—you’re always weighing whether to slow things down and collect more Patricians or speed things up to derail your opponent’s momentum.
Photos above are property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
🅲🅻🅾🆂🅸🅽🅶 🆃🅷🅾🆆🆃🆂: Final Thoughts
This game is a clever mix of hidden information, tactical bluffing, and timing. Managing limited resources and predicting your opponent’s moves are key to victory. But let’s not forget, Lady Luck also plays a role!
Originally published in 1997, it’s part of the acclaimed Kosmos 2-player series, known for its quick gameplay (about 45 minutes) and streamlined mechanics. The 2025 edition retains the core gameplay while introducing clearer rules and smoother interactions. This makes it easier for newer players to jump right in!
Its quick setup and breakdown, along with easy-to-remember rules, make Caesar & Cleopatra an ideal weekday game. It’s perfect for playing just after dinner while you’re still sitting at the table.
If you enjoyed this game and are looking for something even more tactical, Kosmos offers other excellent two-player games like Targi and Imhotep: The Duel. For something simpler and even more approachable, try the classic Lost Cities, another fan-favorite from the Kosmos 2-player line.
Check out our interview with the creators to understand more about the development side of the game:
Video above is property of ESCAPETHEROOMers
(If you do decide to try this game, give us a shoutout or tag us on social media so we know you heard it from "ESCAPETHEROOMers"!)
Disclosure: We thank Thames & Kosmos for providing us with samples of the game. Although a complimentary experience was generously provided, it does not impact our opinion on the review whatsoever.
Caesar & Cleopatra is such a clever card game, blending bluffing, strategy, and a touch of luck. It keeps you hooked with every move, reminding me of the classic charm of How Do You Play Solitaire, but with a thrilling Roman twist.
speed stars also has strong potential as an educational tool. It helps players understand rhythm, pacing, and coordination.