One Deck Galaxy (2022) Board Game

One Deck Galaxy is a card game designed by Alanna Cervenak and Sam “Crowbar” Henry and published by Asmadi Games in in 2022. It is a space exploration game that can be played solo or with a partner. The game involves deck, bag, and pool building mechanics as players work together to explore the galaxy.

Game Components of One Deck Galaxy

Cards (including Galaxy Cards, Location and Encounter cards)

Dice

Tokens

Homeworld and Society Type cards

Adversary cards

Starbase components

Foil discs (in the Deluxe Edition)

Plastic cards (in the Deluxe Edition).

How To Setup One Deck Galaxy

Setting up One Deck Galaxy is relatively quick, taking about 3 to 6 minutes. You start by choosing a combination of a Homeworld and a Society Type, which determines your starting dice, resources, and initial Tech abilities. Then, you select an Adversary and its Confrontation. Place a few tokens on your Homeworld and the Adversary, set up the Starbase, and shuffle the Galaxy Deck. Finally, arrange the dice and tokens as a general supply, and you’re ready to play.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Cooperative Game

Deck, Bag, and Pool Building

Melding and Splaying

Move Through Deck.

Game Objective

Expand your space civilization

Conquer planets and locations

Overcome encounters and adversaries

Upgrade your Starbase to mitigate luck and enhance abilities

Complete Milestones for victory.

Player Experience

One Deck Galaxy offers a complex and deeply strategic experience. The game goes through four phases: the Adversary Phase for upkeep and resolving events, the Discovery Phase for replenishing the Galaxy Card grid, the Action Phase for performing actions using your dice pool, and the Results Phase for resolving the outcomes. Each game can vary significantly due to the different Homeworlds, Society Types, and Adversaries, making it feel like multiple games within one system. The game starts tough and gets progressively harder as the Adversary gains strength and Influence.

Pros

High strategic depth with variable setups

Compact box with quick setup

Cooperative gameplay for 1-2 players

Multiple unique gameplay experiences based on different adversaries and starting combinations

Opportunities for deck and pool building.

Cons

Advanced complexity may be overwhelming for new players

High luck factor, though mitigated by upgrades and strategies

Long playtime, especially during the learning phase (90-120 minutes initially, 45-60 minutes after familiarization).

Personal Thoughts on One Deck Galaxy

One Deck Galaxy is perfect for fans of cooperative and strategic games, particularly those who enjoy solo or two-player experiences. It’s ideal for players who appreciate deep gameplay mechanics and are willing to invest time in learning and mastering the game. The variable setups and multiple adversaries ensure high replayability, making it a great addition to any board game collection for those who enjoy a challenge and strategic depth.

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