Space Base (2018) Board Game

Space Base is a board game that was released in 2018 by designer John D. Clair and published by Alderac Entertainment Group. It falls into the categories of dice, science fiction, and space exploration. The game has received positive reviews for its unique gameplay mechanics and replay value, making it a popular choice among board game enthusiasts.

Game Components of Space Base

Five large player boards

Two six-sided dice featuring a rocket on one side

Forty-five plastic cubes (credits, income, and victory points)

204 cards, including starting cards, market cards (level one, two, three), and colony cards

A set of starting cards for each player

A central market tableau

Resource cubes and a start player card.

How To Setup Space Base

To set up Space Base, each player selects a command console and places the 12 starting cards in their chosen color onto their board, numbered one to twelve. Each player then places a yellow, green, and blue cube onto the starting spaces for credits, income, and victory points, respectively. The credit space is moved up five spaces to the five spot. The remaining cards are sorted by type (level one, two, three, and colony cards), shuffled separately, and dealt out into the central market tableau. Colony cards are placed face up, while six cards from each of the other types are placed face up in the tableau. The rest of the cards are left in face-down piles. The clear resource cubes and two dice are placed in the middle of the table. Each player draws the top face-down level one card, reduces their energy level according to the card’s cost, and replaces the starting card with the new one, flipping the old card under the board. The player with the highest starting sector becomes the first player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Players roll two dice to activate ships on their board.

Ship Activation: Players can activate ships based on the individual dice numbers or their sum.

Resource Generation: Activated ships provide credits, income, or victory points.

Ship Upgrades: Players can buy new ship cards to replace existing ones, deploying the old ships under the board to activate passive abilities.

Colony Founding: Players can spend credits to buy colony cards, which give instant victory points but lock down a sector on their board.

Objective: The game ends when one or more players reach 40 influence points; the player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Space Base is known for its dynamic and fast-paced nature, keeping players engaged throughout the game. Each turn is quick, and the game moves rapidly as players upgrade their ships and activate both active and passive abilities. The game design ensures minimal downtime, as all players are involved on every turn, either activating their own ships or benefiting from other players’ rolls. The constant sense of progression and the satisfaction of building and upgrading ships make the game highly enjoyable and rewarding.

Pros

Engaging Gameplay: Players are always engaged, even on other players’ turns.

Dynamic Progression: Quick upgrades and constant resource generation keep the game exciting.

Minimal Downtime: All players are involved in every turn.

Strategic Depth: Players must balance immediate rewards with long-term strategy.

Fun Decisions: The game offers a variety of decision-making opportunities with each dice roll.

Cons

Complex Rulebook: Despite the game’s simplicity, the rulebook is lengthy and includes a lot of background information.

Initial Slow Start: Some players may find the early stages of the game slow before the engine builds up.

Luck Element: Dice rolls introduce an element of luck that can affect gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Space Base

Space Base is an excellent choice for fans of engine-building games and those who enjoy strategic decision-making with a dash of luck. It is suitable for families and casual gamers due to its simplicity and fast-paced nature, yet it also offers enough depth for veteran board gamers. The game’s ability to keep all players engaged at all times makes it a standout in its genre, ensuring a thrilling experience from start to finish. If you’re looking for a game that combines strategy, resource management, and a bit of luck, Space Base is definitely worth considering.

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