Rock Hard 1977

It's 1977. You have a band, a van, and an unshakeable belief that this is your year.

Over the coming months you'll rehearse, write songs, play gigs and promote the band, chasing fame before anyone else in the room gets there first. Careful planning helps — this is a worker-placement game underneath the leather jackets. So does luck. So, occasionally, does playing a venue you probably shouldn't have agreed to.

A meaty game with a great sense of period — the year punk broke, disco peaked and everyone was convinced they'd be the next big thing. Designed by Jackie Fox, former bassist of 70s rock band The Runaways, which is about as authentic a credential as a game like this could ask for.

The details
Players: 2–5
Playing time: 90 minutes
Ages: 16+
Publisher: Devir
Designer: Jackie Fox

Perfect for: Music obsessives, strategy gamers, and anyone still telling people about the band they were nearly in