Apollo XIII (2015) Board Game

The Apollo XIII board game is a space exploration themed game that was released in in 2015. Designed by Sebastiano Fiorillo and Paolo Lamanna, the game takes inspiration from the real-life Apollo 13 mission, where astronauts faced a life-threatening crisis in space. Players work together to navigate their spacecraft safely back to Earth, facing various challenges and dilemmas along the way.

Game Components of Apollo XIII

History cards: Containing snippets of history and game effects.

Player cards: Allow players to perform various actions.

Status meters: For each astronaut, rocket, mission control, and overall mission status.

Apollo tokens: Used for additional actions and scoring.

Stage Event cards: Representing key events of the mission.

Mission control board: Tracks various status meters.

How To Setup Apollo XIII

To set up the game, players begin by preparing the mission control board with the appropriate status meters and placing the History cards and Stage Event cards in their respective stages. Each player receives a set of player cards, and the game starts before the launch of the Apollo 13 mission.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Cooperative Gameplay: Players work together as mission control to ensure the safe return of the Apollo 13 crew.

Historical Stages: The game is divided into 7 stages representing key events of the mission.

History Card Draw: Players draw and resolve History cards, which affect status meters.

Player Actions: Players can adjust status meters, discard cards, or perform other actions using player cards.

Timed Turns: Turns become timed if the mission status reaches yellow or red.

Mission Objective: Successfully manage the mission to ensure the crew’s safe return without the mission status reaching failure.

Player Experience

Playing Apollo XIII involves a dynamic and intense experience, especially as the game progresses and the mission’s challenges escalate. The game starts off calmly with mission prep but quickly ramps up in intensity after the oxygen tank explosion. Players must manage their time and resources efficiently, especially when turns become timed. The game’s pace is well-balanced, starting slow, intensifying, and then calming down again as the mission nears its end.

Pros

Easy to Teach: Simple to learn and explain.

Cool Theme: Based on the historical Apollo 13 mission.

Historical Accuracy: Incorporates accurate historical facts.

Strong Teamwork Aspect: Encourages cooperative play.

Cons

On-the-Rails Experience: The game follows a set narrative, which may limit replayability.

Restrictive Card Play: Cards have specific times when they can be played, which can be frustrating.

Personal Thoughts on Apollo XIII

Apollo XIII is a great game for those interested in space history or cooperative gameplay. It is particularly suited for individuals who enjoy historical themes and are looking for a game that combines teamwork with strategic planning. While it may not offer high replayability due to its linear narrative, it provides an engaging and educational experience, especially for those who are fans of the Apollo 13 mission. If you’re looking to introduce someone to board gaming with a strong historical theme, Apollo XIII is a solid choice. However, for those seeking a game with high replay value, other options might be more appealing.

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