Free Radicals

About this board game

Free Radicals is a 2022 board game for 2–5 players, with games lasting around 90 minutes. Each player controls one of ten fully asymmetrical factions, and every faction has its own way to earn resources, power, and knowledge.

At the heart of the game are the mysterious Free Radicals: giant objects that appeared around the world and triggered a huge evolutionary leap in technology. Players interact through the main board, visit one another’s buildings, and attempt to unlock the technology held within these remarkable discoveries.

Each faction offers an entirely different way to play. The Merchants use action points to travel between markets while developing their influence and efficiency. The Couriers deploy drones to pick up and deliver valuable goods, while the Entertainers use card placement and abilities to maximize powerful effects.

• Ten fully asymmetrical factions: choose from distinct paths with unique approaches to resources, power, and knowledge.
• Shared main board: visit other players’ buildings and compete to unlock Free Radical technology.
• Interactive research: help opponents with their research in exchange for influence and other rewards.

The game’s interaction extends beyond simply pursuing your own faction’s development. You can contribute to an opponent’s research when the rewards make it worthwhile, creating opportunities to engage with the shared technological discoveries in different ways.

With its combination of radically different factions, shared locations, research, and mysterious technological objects, Free Radicals offers a distinct experience each time players choose a new faction to command.