Golem Run Review – Dragon Dawn Productions!
Hey-ho Lovely Gamers!
If you’ve ever wanted to dabble in a mix of strategic betting, chaotic race-fixing, and the cerebral depths of trick-taking, Golem Run might just be your next obsession. Set in the dwarven world of Odrixia—home to Justice! and Factory 42—this game from Dragon Dawn Productions plunges players into the riotous spectacle of Golem racing. But unlike a standard racing game, you’re not playing as the racers; you’re part of the raucous crowd, placing bets, influencing outcomes, and trying to outguess the competition.
Golem Run is a must-play! Let’s break it down.
Read about all of the other Dragon Dawn Productions games I’ve reviewed here!
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The Basics: Betting on a Race You Control
Golem Run is a game for 3 to 5 players that combines elements of trick-taking with a betting system that hinges on reading your opponents. The game unfolds over several rounds, with players using their hands of cards to manipulate the race’s outcome, ensuring that their chosen golem crosses the finish line first—or, at the very least, that their rivals’ bets are ruined.
Each round consists of three phases:
- Betting: Players secretly place a bet on which golem will be leading at the end of the round and by how much.
- Trick-Taking: Players play cards in a trick-taking format, where winning tricks allows them to move the golems according to the speed dots on the winning card.
- Scoring: Players reveal their bets and score points based on how well their predictions align with the race’s current standings.
This structure creates a fascinating dynamic where players must balance playing cards to win tricks with holding onto key information that will allow them to make smarter bets. The game rewards not just good trick-taking skills but also a keen sense of reading the table.
Back Golem Run on Kick&Go here!
Betting with a Twist
What makes Golem Run particularly engaging is its three-layered betting system. Each player places:
A Centre Bet: predicting which golem will be in the lead and by how many spaces.
Side Bets: guessing what the players to their left and right have bet.
These side bets add an extra layer of mind games. You’re not just focusing on manipulating the race; you’re also trying to deduce what your opponents believe will happen and capitalize on their assumptions.
Scoring is surprisingly nuanced. Predicting the winning golem is worth a modest point gain, but nailing the exact distance between racers can be hugely rewarding. However, if you’re left holding high-value cards at the end of the round, you take a penalty, making hand management critical.
Check out Factory 42 – Another Dragon Dawn Productions game with Dwarves!
Trick-Taking with a Purpose
Unlike traditional trick-taking games where winning is always desirable, Golem Run introduces an interesting dilemma: sometimes losing a trick is just as beneficial as winning. Each trick moves a golem forward, and while you might want to see your favored golem advance, there’s an equal chance you’ll want to sabotage your opponents’ bets instead.
The suits (White, Orange, Blue, and Black for Wilds) have different distributions, and the Black Wilds allow for chaotic flexibility. There are also Booster cards, which modify the values of tricks and add yet another element of unpredictability.
A well-timed trick win can push a golem just far enough ahead to sabotage another player’s distance bet, while a deliberate loss can allow you to keep key cards for later rounds. The ability to “Wait and Wager”—where you forfeit playing in order to readjust your bets—gives a way to course-correct, but at the cost of letting others dictate the trick’s outcome.
Check out Dwarf – another awesome game from DDP about Dwarfs!
The Race Itself: Obstacles and Strategy
The modular track setup is a nice touch, ensuring variety between games. Players take turns selecting track segments, meaning each race will have a different layout. Obstacles like Boulders, Water, and Fences complicate movement, and these elements make positioning as important as outright speed.
Another strategic wrinkle is that certain tricks allow golems to move in unintended ways. If a Wild card is played, movement can suddenly shift sideways or even backward—turning a once-predictable race into a tactical battlefield.
The game ends the moment a golem crosses the finish line, adding an element of tension to the later rounds. Players who haven’t been carefully managing their hands might find themselves forced into moves they didn’t anticipate, ending the game sooner than expected.
Like Dwarfs? Come play Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay with me!
Complexity and Learning Curve
Golem Run falls into the mid-weight category. If you’re familiar with trick-taking games, the mechanics will feel intuitive, but the added elements of betting and race manipulation add layers that require a few rounds to fully grasp.
That said, the game does have a steep learning curve for players unfamiliar with trick-taking mechanics. The combination of betting and tactical trick play means there’s a lot of information to process, and new players might struggle with when to commit to a trick versus when to hold back.
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Thematic Integration
*Note – as this is a review copy, not all elements will match the final production
Dragon Dawn Productions has a knack for crafting immersive game worlds, and Golem Run continues that trend. The setting of Odrixia—where dwarves cheer on magical constructs in underground races—feels well thought out.
The artwork is gorgeous, my only complaint is that the images are bit small – I’d love to see bigger versions of the card art which really evoke a different mood for each suit. The rulebook is detailed but well-organized, making it relatively easy to reference during play.
The board art is cool, but again, I’d like to see it a bit bigger, although the small size makes Golem Run half-way to a pocket game. If you knew the rules and just took the pieces, cards and board, they could indeed fit in a decent sized coat pocket or a handbag!
Check out this awesome dungeon crawler by Dragon Dawn Productions!
Final Thoughts: A Game of Subtlety and Surprise
Golem Run is a fascinating hybrid of trick-taking and betting that rewards both careful planning and adaptability. Unlike many racing games that focus purely on speed, this one emphasizes manipulation—whether it’s the race, the bets, or your opponents’ expectations.
The core mechanics are solid, and the variety in track setups and golem personalities ensures high replayability. While it might take a game or two for new players to grasp all the nuances, the payoff is a unique, thinky experience that feels fresh in the crowded landscape of trick-taking games.
If you enjoy games where reading your opponents is just as important as playing your own hand well, Golem Run is well worth your time.
I love the unique blend of betting, racing, and trick-taking and the modular track setup which keeps races fresh. The side betting adds a great social deduction element and the high skill ceiling and rewarding decision-making brings me back for more!
Overall, Golem Run is a clever, tactical game that will really shine with the right group.
Let me know in the comments below if you fancy trying out Golem Run and tell us your favorite trick-taking games!
Back Golem Run here!
Check out all my other reviews of Dragon Dawn Productions here!
Thanks for reading!
~Bren
