Exoworld Survival (2023) Board Game

Exoworld Survival is a science fiction board game that immerses players in the exciting world of space exploration. Designed by Vlad Ricean and featuring artwork by Starling Games and Tabletop Tycoon Inc., this game was released in 2023 and has quickly gained popularity among fans of cooperative games and scenario-based gameplay.

Game Components of Exoworld Survival

Resource Board: Where colored discs and cubes are placed based on the chosen scenario.

Character Cards: Each player receives two unique character cards, choosing one to play.

Protocol Cards: Part of the Player Deck, with special use and random cards included based on the scenario.

Event Deck: Contains Standard and Critical Event cards that influence gameplay.

Project Cards: Divided into four colors, each representing a different resource (food, water, oxygen, energy).

Home Base Card: Central location for player pawns.

Colored Wooden Pawns: Each player has a pawn to mark their position.

Module Cards: Used to build new modules and increase resource production.

How To Setup Exoworld Survival

To set up the game, players choose one of the eight scenarios (nine with the expansion) which determines the starting conditions for production types and emergency supplies, as well as the Event Deck settings. The Resource Board is placed on the table with colored discs and cubes matched to their respective places. Each player is dealt two Character cards and selects one to play. The Player Deck is created by removing special use Protocol Cards and adding a specified number of random Protocol Cards. The deck is shuffled, and two cards are dealt to each player. Critical Events are mixed into the Standard Events cards according to the scenario. The Home Base card is placed centrally, and each player places their pawn on it.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Actions: Players can draw a card, discard and replace face-up cards, give or receive cards with other players on the same module, deploy a new module, move to an adjacent module, increase the supply of the current module, shut down or repair a damaged module, or use their character’s special ability.

Building Modules: Players build new modules using Project cards to increase resource production. Most modules increase one resource at the cost of another.

Event Resolution: After each turn, a card from the Event Deck is drawn, which can disable characters, damage modules, or trigger damage indicators.

Resource Management: Players manage their production rates and supplies. If a supply hits zero, they must use Emergency Supplies.

Objective: The game is won by raising all four production levels to zero or higher, or lost if Emergency Supplies run out.

Player Experience

Exoworld Survival offers a challenging cooperative experience where players must work together to manage resources and overcome the harsh conditions of an alien planet. The game requires strategic planning and coordination, as players need to balance the benefits and drawbacks of each module and manage the impact of events. The varied scenarios and character abilities add replayability and depth to the game.

Pros

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and strategy.

High Replayability: Multiple scenarios and character abilities.

Resource Management: Challenging and engaging mechanic.

Thematic Consistency: Energy resource dynamics reflect the thematic need for energy to run new modules.

Cons

Complex Setup: Requires careful attention to scenario-specific settings.

Unbalanced Resource Cards: Some resources are more likely to be increased or decreased than others.

Steep Learning Curve: Complex rules and mechanics may take time to master.

Personal Thoughts on Exoworld Survival

Exoworld Survival is ideal for fans of cooperative games and those who enjoy complex, strategic gameplay. It is best suited for experienced board game players who appreciate resource management and scenario-based challenges. The game’s thematic depth and varied scenarios make it a great addition to any board game collection looking to offer a crunchy, cooperative experience.

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