There are games I enjoy, games I admire, and then there are games like Lockup: A Roll Player Tale—a game I consistently want to pull off the shelf. Published by Thunderworks Games and set in the same universe as Roll Player, Lockup combines worker placement with bluffing, area control, and resource management in a way that feels unique, tight, and highly replayable. It’s easily one of my favorite games.
The Premise
In Lockup, you control a gang of fantasy creatures (goblins, kobolds, bugbears, gnolls, or insectoids) imprisoned in Kulbak Prison. Your goal isn’t to escape—it’s to earn the most reputation by proving you’re the most dominant crew in the prison before the king’s guards arrive.
Over six rounds, players secretly assign crew members (some stronger than others) to various rooms of the prison, competing for resources, items, and crafting opportunities. There’s no direct combat—just outmaneuvering your rivals and knowing when to show strength or play it cool.
Worker Placement, But With a Twist
What makes Lockup so brilliant is its spin on traditional worker placement. Instead of openly assigning workers, you place them face down, in secret. Some are strong, some weak, and some have special abilities—but only you know your total strength until all workers are revealed. The strongest gang in each room wins the best reward, but showing too much muscle too often can backfire by drawing suspicion from the guards.
This hidden-information layer adds a delicious dose of bluffing and mind games to a genre that often feels mechanical. You’re constantly trying to read your opponents, fake them out, or call their bluffs—while still managing resources and planning for upgrades.
Strategy That Grows Over Time
Each round brings new decisions. You’ll gather and spend resources to craft contraband items, recruit powerful goons to your gang, and complete goals that give endgame points. You also have to keep your heat level in check; gain too much suspicion and you risk being raided, which can cripple your plans.
There’s always tension between immediate gain and long-term strategy. Do you go all-in to win the armory this round, or hold back to keep your heat low and strike big later? The balance is razor-sharp and constantly rewarding.
Components and Presentation
The art and production quality are excellent, with clean iconography, colorful room tiles, and distinct player factions that feel thematic and fun. The box includes a helpful insert, and setup is relatively fast for a game with this much depth.
The base game also scales well from 2 to 5 players, though it really shines at 3 or 4. There’s also a solo mode that offers a solid challenge and uses a clever automa system.
Why It’s a Favorite
There are a lot of worker placement games out there, but Lockup stands out because it adds layers without adding bloat. The bluffing system keeps everyone engaged during placement. The pacing is brisk, the tension ramps up with each round, and the interaction between players is constant but not punishing.
Every playthrough feels slightly different depending on what goons come out, which items you craft, and how aggressive your opponents are. There’s enough variability to keep things fresh but enough structure to reward experience and strategic thinking.
Final Thoughts
Lockup deserves more attention than it gets. It’s not just a clever twist on worker placement—it’s a complete, competitive game that combines theme, tension, and strategy in a compact and satisfying package.
If you enjoy games with layered decisions, tactical bluffing, and meaningful interaction, Lockup delivers in spades. It’s one of my favorites for a reason, and I keep finding new angles and strategies every time I play.
A standout title from Thunderworks Games—and one I’ll happily recommend again and again.