Circadians: First Light (2019) Board Game

Circadians: First Light is a board game that was released in 2019 by designer S J Macdonald and published by Garphill Games. The game takes players on a journey of space exploration in a science fiction setting, where they must collect resources, complete contracts, and manage their crew to achieve victory.

Game Components of Circadians: First Light

Research base mats and screens

13 dice per player in different colors

Water, Algae, and Energy resources

Leader cards

Contract cards

Event cards

Radio token

Gem tokens

How To Setup Circadians: First Light

Setting up **Circadians: First Light** involves several steps, though it’s more straightforward than it sounds. Each player receives a research base mat and screen, along with 13 dice in their color. Three dice are placed on the research mat, while the others are kept in supply. Players start with 15 Water, four Algae, and two Energy. The starting player is determined randomly and receives the Radio token. Each player is dealt three Leader cards, keeping one and returning the others. In the Dyad Alliance variant, players can keep two Leader cards but start with reduced resources. Contract cards are then drafted, with each player selecting one card to keep after passing and receiving cards from other players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Rolling: Players use dice to manage resources and perform actions.

Card Drafting: Players draft Leader and contract cards to influence their gameplay.

Event Cards: Each round introduces a unique event card that adds rules or challenges.

Resource Management: Players must manage Water, Algae, and Energy to achieve goals.

Game Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most points by completing contracts, managing resources, and navigating events.

Player Experience

**Circadians: First Light** offers a engaging and strategic experience, especially after the initial learning curve. The game consists of seven rounds, each with four distinct phases, including the Plan phase where event cards are revealed. Players need to balance their actions carefully, as the game requires making meaningful strategic decisions. The game is enjoyable solo or with up to four players, and the inclusion of different difficulty levels in solo mode adds to its replayability.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers tight and meaningful strategic decisions.

Replayability: Various player powers, event cards, and dice rolls ensure different experiences.

Solo and Multiplayer: Plays well solo and with up to four players.

Resource Management: Engaging resource management mechanics.

Expansions: Compatible with expansions like Allies and Specialists.

Cons

Complex Setup: Initial setup can be overwhelming due to multiple components.

Learning Curve: Takes a few turns to grasp the full strategy.

Limited Initial Resources in Variants: Dyad Alliance variant starts with reduced resources.

Personal Thoughts on Circadians: First Light

**Circadians: First Light** is a gem for fans of strategic board games, particularly those who enjoy resource management and making meaningful decisions. It’s ideal for players who appreciate games like **Alien Frontiers** and **Euphoria**. The game’s unique mechanics and the variety of player powers and event cards make it a joy for those who love deep strategic gameplay. While it may not be for everyone due to its complexity, it is certainly a candidate to become one of your favorite board game experiences with repeated plays and exploration of its expansions.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.