Light Speed (2003) Board Game

Light Speed is a real-time, science fiction themed board game designed by James Ernest and Tom Jolly. It was first released in 2003 and is suitable for 2 to 5 players, with a recommended age of 10 and up. The game involves fast-paced gameplay and strategic tile placement, making it a unique and engaging experience for players.

Game Components of Light Speed

Four matching armies of ten ships each, colored in Red, Green, Purple, and Blue.

Two Asteroid cards.

Colored beads to depict damage to ships and mined ores.

A tablecloth or smooth surface for gameplay.

How To Setup Light Speed

To set up the game, place the asteroid card in the middle of the table with 15 mineral beads on it. Alternatively, you can use two asteroid cards with eight beads each or flip both asteroid cards over to form one large asteroid. Each player shuffles their deck of ten identical ships and prepares for play.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Real-time card placement.

Line of fire and shield mechanics.

Damage tracking using colored beads.

Game Objective

Players place their spaceship cards on the table as quickly as possible.

The game ends when one player has played all their cards and shouts “stop.”

Scoring involves counting the number of mined chunks from the asteroid on surviving ships and the damage capacity of destroyed enemy ships.

Ships are resolved in numerical order, with lower-numbered ships firing first.

Lines of fire are extended from the ship cards to determine hits, using shields to deflect damage.

Player Experience

Playing **Light Speed** is a fast-paced yet strategic experience. Players must balance the speed of placing their ships with careful positioning to avoid self-inflicted damage. The real-time nature of the game can sometimes lead to turn paralysis, where players hesitate to commit their final card, trying to outguess their opponents. However, the simple and elegant design makes the game easy to understand and enjoy.

Pros

Easy to Learn: The rules are simple and easy to explain.

Quick Gameplay: Games typically last between 5-15 minutes.

Strategic Depth: The game requires careful planning and tactical placement of ships.

Affordable: It’s a cheap game, part of the Hip Pocket line by Cheapass Games.

Great Artwork: The ship cards have nice, colorful artwork.

Cons

Turn Paralysis: Players can get stuck in a stalemate, waiting for the other to make a move.

Pointed Corners: The ship cards have pointed corners, which can catch on the tablecloth.

Personal Thoughts on Light Speed

**Light Speed** is perfect for those who enjoy quick, real-time strategy games with a touch of space combat. It’s great for casual gamers looking for a fun, inexpensive game that doesn’t require a lot of setup or complex rules. However, players who prefer more leisurely-paced games might find the real-time aspect frustrating. Overall, it’s an excellent addition to any game collection for its simplicity, elegance, and fast-paced action.

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