Onward to Venus (2014) Board Game

Onward to Venus is a board game designed by Martin Wallace and published by Treefrog Games in in 2014. The game is set in an alternate history where the great powers of the world are racing to explore and exploit the resources of the solar system. Players take on the roles of competing factions vying for dominance in space exploration.

Game Components of Onward to Venus

8 oversized planet/moon boards from Mercury to the Kuiper Belt

Military units, mines, and factories

Action cards

Infantry tokens and spaceships

Crisis tiles, tension tiles, and various action tiles

Pass cubes

Dice

How To Setup Onward to Venus

To set up the game, players lay out the planet/moon boards in a line, similar to a model of the solar system. Each player selects or is assigned an imperialist country and starts with a set of mines, factories, military units, and an initial hand of action cards. Players place their infantry tokens and spaceships in orbit around Earth. At the beginning of each round, the planets are randomly seeded with various action tiles.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Action Point Allowance: Players take turns performing actions based on their military strength and passes.

Variable Player Powers: Each country has unique starting action cards.

Card Play: Action cards can be used to perform various actions.

Area Control: Players aim to establish dominance on different planets and moons.

Objective: The goal is to earn victory points by colonizing the solar system, managing resources, and resolving crises.

Player Experience

In Onward to Venus, players experience a satirical take on colonialism, reimagined as a scramble for the solar system. The game is full of dark humor and technical jargon, adding to its unique charm. Players must manage their military units, deploy them to planets, dig mines, build factories, and respond to crises. The game includes opportunities to invade foreign colonies, hunt alien wildlife, and face off against space pirates and alien invasions.

Pros

Unique Theme: A satirical take on colonialism in space.

Deep Strategy: Combines action point allowance with variable player powers and card play.

High Replayability: Random tile placement and variable powers ensure no two games are the same.

Interactive: Players can invade each other’s colonies and interact through various actions.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a steep learning curve due to its intricate mechanics.

Length: Games can be quite long, lasting several hours.

Crisis Management: Failing to resolve crises can lead to game-ending negative events.

Personal Thoughts on Onward to Venus

Onward to Venus is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex strategy and area control games. It is perfect for those who appreciate a unique blend of satire and sci-fi elements. However, due to its complexity and length, it may not be suitable for casual or new board game players. The game’s thematic depth and rich mechanics make it a standout in the board game community, but it requires a commitment to learning and playing.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.