Abandon Planet (2017) Board Game

Abandon Planet is a science fiction party game designed by Bobby Reichle and published in in 2017. The game is set in a future where Earth is facing destruction, and players must negotiate and form alliances to secure their spot on one of the few remaining spaceships leaving the planet.

Game Components of Abandon Planet

Game board

Character cards

Tool cards

Rocket parts

Meteor tokens

Player tokens

Dice

How To Setup Abandon Planet

To set up Abandon Planet, players first place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a character card and places their token on the starting location. The tool cards, rocket parts, and meteor tokens are shuffled and placed within reach. Players then determine the starting player, usually based on a random draw.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Players aim to escape a planet about to be destroyed by a meteor by launching a rocket.

Mechanics:
– Area Movement: Players move around the world to collect tools and rocket parts.
– Social Deduction: Players form alliances, but betrayal is a significant mechanic.
– Hand Management: Players manage their tool cards to achieve their goals.
– Dice Rolling: Used for resolving conflicts and collecting resources.

Gameplay: Players fly around the world, collect and fight for the necessary tools, and work towards launching the rocket. The game involves fluctuating allegiances, making it a unique experience of survival and betrayal.

Player Experience

Abandon Planet offers a dynamic and engaging experience where players must balance cooperation and competition. The game’s social deduction elements create an environment of mistrust and surprise, as players can be betrayed at any moment. This makes for a fun and unpredictable gameplay experience.

Pros

Dynamic Alliances: The game’s mechanic of forming and breaking alliances keeps the game exciting and unpredictable.

Strategic Depth: Players need to balance short-term and long-term strategies to escape the planet.

Thematic Immersion: The theme of escaping a meteor apocalypse is well-integrated into the gameplay mechanics.

Cons

Replayability Issues: Some players have noted that the game can feel repetitive after several plays.

Endgame Flatness: The game’s conclusion can sometimes feel less satisfying than the rest of the experience.

Personal Thoughts on Abandon Planet

Abandon Planet is ideal for players who enjoy social deduction games and are looking for a game that combines strategy with a thrilling theme. It is suitable for groups of 3-4 players and is a good fit for those who appreciate games with fluctuating allegiances and a high level of interaction among players. However, it may not be the best choice for those seeking a game with high replayability or a very satisfying conclusion.

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