Age of Wonders: Planetfall (2022) Board Game

Age of Wonders: Planetfall is a board game adaptation of the popular video game series of the same name. The game is set in a sci-fi universe where different factions battle for control over a post-apocalyptic world.

Game Components of Age of Wonders: Planetfall

1 Operations Board

6 Double-sided Commander Sheets

8 Goal Sheets

1 Restrain Token

6 +50/=100 Tokens

98 Planet Cards

30 Wooden Pieces

1 Rulebook

How To Setup Age of Wonders: Planetfall

To set up the game, start by shuffling the seven decks of planet cards separately. Place the Operations board on the table and randomly choose one of the 8 goal sheets, which provide different end-game scoring conditions. Each player receives a Commander sheet, which has two sides: one for basic players and another for advanced players with unique abilities. Players place their markers on the initiative track of the Operations board, with the lowest initiative value determining the turn order. Each player starts with markers on the Experience, Strength, and Energy tracks on their Commander sheet.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Gameplay Duration: 20-40 minutes

Number of Players: 2-6

Age Range: 12+

Mechanics: Card Drafting, Set Collection

Game Objective: Players aim to score the most Empire points by defeating units, studying technology, claiming landmarks, and running operations on seven different planets over seven rounds.

Rounds and Phases: Each round consists of five phases: Discovery, Income, Exploration Part 1, Exploration Part 2, and Migration.

Discovery: Deal out cards to the Operations board.

Income: Gain income from annexed actors and resolve Technology and Commander income effects.

Exploration Part 1 & 2: Players place their ships on cards or Operations slots to acquire cards or perform operations.

Migration: Discard unselected cards.

Player Experience

Players take on the roles of faction leaders, each with unique abilities and starting positions on the initiative track. The game is relatively quick and easy to understand, making it accessible for casual game nights. The turn order is determined by the initiative track, and players can choose to acquire cards or perform operations, which can provide immediate benefits or long-term strategies. The game’s balance ensures that scores are often close, making it competitive even for experienced players.

Pros

Quick Setup and Playtime: The game takes only a few minutes to set up and can be played within 20-40 minutes.

High Replayability: The unique abilities of the commanders and the random selection of goal sheets ensure different strategies and outcomes each game.

Balanced Gameplay: Scores are often close, making the game competitive and engaging.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules and straightforward gameplay mechanics.

Cons

Material Quality: Some players have reported concerns about the quality of the game components, such as the folding Operations board.

Limited Card Deck Variety: While the game has high replayability, the composition of the planet decks remains similar, which might limit some aspects of variability.

Not a 4X Game: Fans of the video game series might be disappointed if they expect a full 4X experience.

Personal Thoughts on Age of Wonders: Planetfall

**Age of Wonders: Planetfall** is ideal for those looking for a quick, engaging, and strategic card drafting game. It is perfect for game nights where you want to play multiple games in a short span. However, if you are expecting a deep 4X experience like the video game, this might not be the game for you. Instead, it offers a fun, balanced, and easy-to-learn experience that is great for both new and experienced players.

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