Experience the depths of the universe with board games set in Space.
Space leaves a lot for the imagination- what exactly is lurking in the dark galaxy? This gives a lot of people fuel when it comes to creating games. While Space maybe too far for us to reach in a literal sense, we can always enjoy the idea of exploring Space through games.
While I can come up with a list of video games, why not try board games for a change? Here are 10 board games set in the great wide galaxy for you to explore.
10. Race for the Galaxy
Race For The Galaxy Cover Art
Explore the ends of space with Race for the Galaxy. You have the opportunity to build your own galactic civilization by playing cards that represent worlds and other technical and social development on the planet. So really, it’s up to the player with how he/she would want to build their civilization, either they choose to build its military force or create a civilization of great minds that keeps on innovating, it’s really up to you and your deck of cards.
What’s fun about Race for the Galaxy:
- You get to build a civilization, though challenging it proves to be fun once you get the groundworks ready.
- Updated game is improved for CVD (color blindness)
- Bonus of choice role, when you select a role, all players are given the same opportunity to activate that phase during their turn, but you have a bonus that can greatly benefit you.
9.Monopoly Space
Monopoly Space Included in Hasbro's Space Theme Launch
How about a game to introduce the family into the whole space theme? Or even board games in general? Last 2020, Hasbro just dropped Monopoly Space which is basically our usual Monopoly game (with a few changes to fit the theme) but we get to buy planets, build colonies and gather resources. This time it’s a race to own the universe!
What’s fun about Monopoly Space:
- Monopoly, but space theme, so properties are planets this time around.
- Change ups, Wild times and Gravity Loss replaces Electric Company, Luxury Tax, Income Tax and Water Works.
- Intro to Board Game, if you belong to a pretty tough family to budge into other casual games, they may be more open to something they’re more familiar with—like monopoly!
8.Spaceteam
Image Capture of Spaceteam's Promo Video
I was curious when I saw this on the shelf. So, yes, we tried it out. Your goal, or rather your team’s goal is to ensure your ship is functioning enough to fly you across the galaxy before time runs out. Throughout the game the ship will malfunction and there are other complications such as wormholes and asteroid fields. No, turn order, you and your crew will have to fix different sections of the ship (separately!). Remember, that we are in space and the environment isn’t exactly travel friendly either, this game is chaotically fun.
What’s fun about Spaceteam:
- A mess, no turn orders and everyone is just shouting and playing cards trying to fix and protect the ship at the same time
- Party game, Easy to understand and if you have a group of friends who love being loud.
- Pass the tool, you can reuse your cards, just make sure to keep an ear out for a member who needs it above the chaos.
7.The Crew: Quest for Planet Nine
We’ve discovered an unknown planet and we are sending out your crew to do a study on it. The journey will be long and difficult with 50 exciting missions and even members of your own crew have their own tasks to fulfill. Communication is also proven to be difficult, since we are in space, so make sure to send your message carefully to your crewmates.
What’s fun about The Crew: Quest for Planet Nine:
- Communication is the key, this is a no table talk game, but we are given some means to communicate however, limited. Figuring a way to work with this is challenging.
- 3 to 4 sweet spot, While there is a 2 player variant I feel like co-op games of this type shine with the former numbers more.
- 50 different missions, feels like playing a different game every time since a lot of things switch up.
6. Terraforming Mars
We all knew it would come to this, by the 2400s the government has funded a project to make Mars habitable for humankind, that means a lot of ground work such as raising the temperature, the oxygen level, and ocean coverage is needed. You get to play one of those companies tasked for this terraforming process, but all of you are competing to perform better than the other companies tasked to help the process.
What’s fun about Terraforming Mars:
- Easy and Complex, basic rules are pretty simple to get but the different cards with combined effects leaves you with a lot to think about.
- No direct fighting, just competing for Victory Points till Mars becomes livable.
- Red to Green, as the tiles are placed you get to see Mars transform to something akin to earth.
5. Star Wars: Imperial Assault
Imperial Assault Campaign Booklet
Get to experience the Galactic Civil War between the Rebel Alliance and the Galactic Empire after the Death Star over Yavin 4, first hand! In this strategy board game, you and your friends can participate in two separate games: Campaign and Skirmish. The Skirmish game invites you and a friend to muster strike teams and battle head-to-head over conflicting objects. Meanwhile, for campaign, the Imperial Assault invites you to play through the cinematic tale set in the Star Wars Universe. One player gets command of the Galactic Empire while the other players can play the heroes of the Rebel Alliance.
What’s fun about Star Wars: Imperial Assault:
- For the fan, get to experience the story of Star Wars, this time through a board game.
- 2 in a box, the game gives you two options with how to play.
- One against many, play the head of the Galactic Empire makes you feel close to a DM as you watch the Rebel Struggle.
4. Gaia Project
Gaia Project Box
A game in line with the original Terra Mystica. 14 different factors live in 7 different kinds of planets and each faction is bound to their own home planets. They develop and grow by terraforming neighboring planets into their home environments. Gaia planets can be used by all factions while Transdimensional planets can be changed into Gaia planets. This is a race to expand your territory.
What’s fun about Gaia Project:
- Challenging game, I usually write about easy-to-learn games but this once is a bit on the heavy side if you’ve never played Terra Mystica, still if you love mid-to-heavy games then this could be a good thing.
- Variety, different alien races to choose from.
- Immersive and repayable.
3. Eclipse (2011)
The galaxy has been at peace for several years now, post the Terran-Heemony War. In order for war to not break out, the Galactic Council was formed. Peace is still very fragile as tension and discord continue to grow among other species and even among the council itself. It seems that another battle is about to break, who will be the ones to rule over the galaxies?
What;s fun about Eclipse:
- Wargame, if you’re itching for a wargame in space (other than star wars) this is another game you might want to bring to the table.
- Hours of gaming, it might actually take longer than the box says it does, this may be a good thing for a bunch of us who want to try a 24-hour board game challenge.
- Explore tactics, there are different win conditions and different ways to reach each one, so it makes sense why this game takes a lot of time to complete.
2. Xia: Legends of a Drift System
Xia: Legends of a Drift System Box
How about playing the role of a pirate, or maybe a captain? But, let’s add a little twist to it, you are a captain to a ship in space. You start out as a lowly captain of a small starship, but despite your circumstances you are determined to be the most famous captain out there. Space is pretty big, so you can bet there are other pirates looking at the same goal as you. but they may have other means of reaching it compared to you. Complete missions, fight other ships, Trade and sell items and claim titles to earn Fame Points to become the best captain in the universe!
What’s fun about Xia: Legends of a Drift System:
- Sandbox style, let your creativity take you when it comes to reaching your goal.
- Path to victory, You need to get famous, how? It’s really up to you—again, the great thing about the sandbox system.
- Space Exploration, and with it comes purchasing better ships.
1. Beyond the Sun
How will humankind progress now at the dawn of the Spacefaring Era? Each faction competes against each other in economic development, science and galactic influence.
Every time your faction discovers new technology, improves their economy, colonizes areas and completes other achievements throughout the game they earn victory points. The faction who has the most Victory Points wins the game.
What’s fun about Beyond the Sun:
- Keeps you on your toes, other players can limit what action you take due to their advancement and you can do the same to them.
- Replayability, what makes it worth your cash, there’s a lot to do and consider with resource management and a lot of other factors.
- Looks complicated, but is actually easy to teach, the game only looks intimidating (maybe since it takes an almost minimalist design with its pegs and amount of things in the box).
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