Core Space: First Born (2021) Board Game

Core Space: First Born is an expansion for the popular sci-fi adventure board game Core Space, released in in 2021. Designed by Nick Greenwood and featuring artwork by Battle Systems Ltd, this expansion adds new depth and challenges to the original game, allowing players to delve deeper into the world of the First Born.

Game Components of Core Space: First Born

Miniatures: 12 First Born, 4 Traders, 2 Game Hunters, and 2 Rock Worm unpainted figures made of PVC.

3D Board: A highly-detailed modular 3D board for creating the game environment.

Tokens and Boards: 272 tokens including Hostility Board inserts, Target Markers, Energy Counters, Trader/NPC Boards, Class Boards, Equipment Tokens, and more.

Terrain: Modular terrain pieces with scenery components and assembly brackets for creating walls and corridors.

Rulebooks: A How to Play Booklet and the Core Space: First Born Rulebook.

How To Setup Core Space: First Born

Setting up Core Space: First Born can be quite time-consuming. The process involves punching out and assembling the terrain pieces, which includes walls, corridors, and other scenery components. There are no instructions in the rulebook for this, so players often need to refer to tutorial videos from the publisher. Once the terrain is assembled, the board needs to be set up with the correct pieces in place, which can take an additional 30 minutes.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Game Category: Cooperative, RPG-style sci-fi miniatures game.

Player Count: 1-4 players.

Playtime: 60+ minutes.

Campaign System: A 10-mission campaign where players track their crew’s progress, develop skills, and upgrade equipment.

Game Phases: Hostility phase, Trader phase (moving, attacking, searching), First Born phase (adversary spawning and AI movement), and cleanup phase.

Mechanics: Character progression, modular board, real-time search system, ammo management affecting hostility.

Player Experience

Playing Core Space: First Born is an immersive experience with a strong focus on narrative and character development. The game has an RPG feel, with players making decisions that impact their crew’s story and progression. The detailed 3D board and numerous tokens enhance the table presence, making the game visually engaging. However, the setup and learning curve can be significant, requiring a substantial time commitment.

Pros

Excellent Table Presence: The game looks fantastic with its detailed 3D board and numerous tokens.

Engaging Gameplay: Tons of options and meaningful decisions, especially with the hostility tracker.

Highly Expandable: Compatible with other Battle Systems terrains and expandable with new content.

Solid RPG Elements: Character progression, skill development, and a narrative story.

Cons

Time-Consuming Setup: Assembling and setting up the terrain can be tedious and time-consuming.

Learning Curve: The rulebook is over 100 pages, and the game mechanics can be overwhelming at first.

Needs Player Aid: The game could benefit from additional player aids to streamline gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Core Space: First Born

Core Space: First Born is ideal for fans of sci-fi miniatures games and those who enjoy campaign-style games with deep character progression. It is perfect for players who are willing to invest time in setting up and learning the game, as it offers a rich and immersive gaming experience. If you’re looking for a quick, one-off dungeon crawler, this might not be the best fit, but for those seeking a game with depth and replayability, Core Space: First Born is a great choice.

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