Redshirts is a card game based on the popular science fiction trope of “redshirts”
expendable crew members who often meet unfortunate fates in TV shows and movies. The game was released in 2012 and designed by David Reddick. It is known for its humor and clever gameplay mechanics that pay homage to the genre.Game Components of Redshirts
Two decks: Redshirts deck and Commander’s Log deck, which includes Equipment, Location, Event, and Mission cards.Redshirts cards: Represent the crew members.Equipment cards: Enhance Redshirts with various skills.Location cards: Applied to the player’s Away Team.Event cards: One-shot cards providing challenges or special effects.Mission cards: Central to the game, determining the fate of Redshirts.
How To Setup Redshirts
To set up Redshirts, each player is given four Redshirts and a hand of five cards from the Commander’s Log. The starting player is determined by the cadet with the last name first alphabetically.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Mechanics
Card play: Players play cards to modify their Redshirts and missions.Skill management: Equipment, Location, and Event cards add or remove skills from Redshirts.Mission resolution: Players attempt to complete missions using their Redshirts’ skills.
Game Objective
Eliminate Redshirts: The goal is to be the first player to eliminate all of their own Redshirts by failing missions.Mission attempts: Players send Redshirts on missions, and if the Redshirt fails, it dies.
Player Experience
Redshirts offers a unique and humorous take on the traditional “redshirt” trope from science fiction, particularly Star Trek. The game is fast-paced and conflict-driven, with a cartoonish art style that sets a light-hearted tone. Players need to strategically use their cards to either enhance or hinder their Redshirts’ chances of survival during missions.
Pros
Humorous theme: The game is filled with wacky puns and nods to sci-fi franchises.Quick setup: The game is playable right out of the box.Engaging gameplay: Players can modify missions and use special abilities to influence outcomes.
Cons
Card balance: The game is heavily weighted towards keeping Redshirts alive, slowing down the tempo.Equipment card repetition: Many Equipment cards seem like replicated versions of one another.Difficult to kill Redshirts: It requires significant effort to get Redshirts killed, especially with more players.
Personal Thoughts on Redshirts
Redshirts is ideal for players who enjoy light-hearted, comedic games with a touch of strategy. It’s perfect for fans of science fiction, especially those familiar with Star Trek, as it deliciously spoofs the classic redshirt trope. However, players seeking a more balanced or complex game might find Redshirts a bit simplistic. Despite this, it remains an entertaining addition to any board game collection, offering a fun and social gaming experience.
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