Cosmic Colonies (2020) Board Game

Cosmic Colonies is a board game released in 2020 by Floodgate Games. Designed by Scott Almes, the game takes players on a space exploration adventure where they must build and expand their colonies on various planets in the galaxy. With a blend of open drafting, pattern building, simultaneous action selection, and tile placement mechanics, Cosmic Colonies offers a unique and engaging gameplay experience for 1-5 players.

Game Components of Cosmic Colonies

Game board

Resource tokens

Building tiles

Worker cards

Player boards

Objective cards

Round marker

Scoring track

How To Setup Cosmic Colonies

To set up Cosmic Colonies, start by placing the game board in the center of the table. Fill each resource location with one token per player, and fill each building slot with its corresponding shape. Set up the scoring track and player boards accordingly. Each player selects or is given a set of worker cards and receives one secret objective card along with one of each resource to start.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Card drafting

Tile placement

Resource management

Game Objective

Players aim to build the best colony by collecting resources and placing buildings on their asteroid.

The game is divided into Action and Refresh phases.

Action Phase: Players select a worker card, reveal it, and perform the action based on the card’s priority number.

Refresh Phase: Resupply resources, add new buildings, and pass used worker cards to the right.

The game lasts 8 rounds, after which points are scored based on uncovered spaces, constructed buildings, and private objective cards. The player with the highest score wins.

Player Experience

Cosmic Colonies offers an engaging and easy-to-learn experience, especially with the basic setup. The game is suitable for families and can be adapted to different levels of competitiveness by choosing specific worker cards. The advanced rules add complexity, making it appealing to a wider range of players. The space theme and the combination of card drafting and tile laying mechanics make the game fun and interactive.

Pros

Easy to learn and set up

Adaptable to different player skills

Engaging space theme

Well-combined mechanics

Cons

Advanced rules can add complexity

Resource management can be challenging for new players

Personal Thoughts on Cosmic Colonies

Cosmic Colonies is ideal for families and casual gamers who enjoy strategy and resource management. The game’s themes of space exploration and colony building will appeal to fans of science fiction and those interested in astronomy. It’s a great addition to any game night, offering a fun and competitive experience that can be tailored to the players’ preferences.

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