Aliens: Bug Hunt (2020) Board Game

Aliens: Bug Hunt is a board game based on the popular Aliens franchise, specifically inspired by the bug hunts featured in the movies. Released in 2020 by Upper Deck Entertainment, the game allows 1-4 players to team up and take on the role of Colonial Marines as they face off against the deadly Xenomorphs.

Game Components of Aliens: Bug Hunt

Modular tile board

Character cards (including main characters and grunts)

Mission cards

Alien dice

Player phase cards

Lt. card

Alien phase cards

Tracking deck

Dice and tokens (including wound tokens)

Barrier tokens

Objective tokens

Minis (four characters)

How To Setup Aliens: Bug Hunt

To set up the game, each player selects a player card and two grunt character cards, with a main character card randomly distributed to each player. The mission cards are shuffled, and three are drawn. The large tile containing the Hive Tracker is placed at the center of the table, and characters are positioned in sector 3. The phase deck is built using player phase cards, the Lt. card, and one alien card per player. The tracking deck is shuffled and placed alongside the play area. All dice and tokens are prepared, with wound tokens set skull-side up.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Movement and Actions: Players have three movement points to move around the modular board and can perform one action: breach a barrier, shoot at aliens, claim an objective token, or reload.

Combat: Aliens are represented by dice. Shooting involves rolling these dice, with outcomes determining if the alien is killed, survives, or attacks back.

Phase Deck: The game is driven by a phase deck that determines the order of play, including when aliens act.

Objective: Players must complete missions by placing three objective tokens on each of the three mission cards and then safely evacuate the entire team via sector 3 before the complex is overrun by Xenomorphs.

Player Experience

Players take on the roles of marines from the Aliens movies, working together to secure a colony, complete missions, and escape a facility infested with Xenomorphs. The game features randomized characters, order of play, and spawns, ensuring a different experience each time. The atmosphere is enhanced by evocative art, a modular board, and motion tracker-themed cards, making the game feel like an intense exploration of a dark, mysterious facility.

Pros

Atmosphere: The game captures the intense and eerie atmosphere of the Aliens franchise.

Easy to Teach: The game is streamlined and easy to learn.

Visuals: The minis and cards are visually appealing, with a modular board that changes with each play.

Variability: Randomized characters, missions, and alien spawns ensure high replayability.

Cons

Simplicity: The gameplay mechanics are relatively simple and may lack depth for experienced gamers.

Dependency on Luck: The game heavily relies on dice rolls, which can introduce significant randomness and unpredictability.

Personal Thoughts on Aliens: Bug Hunt

**Aliens: Bug Hunt** is ideal for fans of the Aliens franchise and those who enjoy cooperative games with a strong thematic focus. It is particularly suitable for casual gamers and groups looking for a fun, atmospheric experience without overly complex rules. However, it may not be the best choice for those seeking a deeply strategic or complex game, as it relies heavily on luck and simple mechanics.

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