Eclipse

Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy, commonly known as Eclipse, is a strategy board game produced by Lautapelit.fi. It was designed by Touko Tahkokallio and first released in 2011. The game currently has three expansions – Rise of the Ancients, released in 2012, Ship Pack One, released in 2013, and Shadow of the Rift, released in 2015 – and four mini-expansions. A second edition, titled Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy, was released in 2019, which is a complete overhaul of the original game, improving all aspects.

Why is Eclipse Popular?

Eclipse is a popular game because it offers a unique and immersive 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) experience in a fraction of the time of other 4X games. It is a game of interstellar civilization, where players compete for success with their rivals. Players can choose to play as either a human or alien civilization. The game has received several honors and awards, including the Charles S. Roberts Best Science-Fiction or Fantasy Board Wargame Nominee (2011), Jogo do Ano Nominee (2011), Golden Geek Best Board Game Artwork/Presentation Nominee (2012), Golden Geek Best Innovative Board Game Nominee (2012), and Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game Nominee (2012).

Game Components of Eclipse

Game Board: A modular board composed of interlocking tiles representing different sectors of the galaxy.

Player Boards: Each player has a personal board for managing resources, ships, and technologies.

Resource Tokens: Tokens for money, materials, science, and influence.

Ship Tokens: Various types of ships, including interceptors, cruisers, and dreadnoughts.

Technology Cards: Cards that provide upgrades and new abilities.

Sector Tiles: Tiles that expand the galaxy and offer new resources and challenges.

Ancient Ruins: Tokens representing ancient alien technologies and dangers.

Influence Discs: Used for area control and resource collection.

How To Setup Eclipse

Setting up Eclipse involves several steps:

Start by placing the central board tile, which contains the starting sector.

Each player chooses a color and takes the corresponding player board and influence discs.

Shuffle the sector tiles and draw a number based on the player count, then arrange them around the central tile to create the galaxy.

Each player starts with a set of basic ships and resources.

Determine the starting player randomly and begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Management: Manage money, materials, science, and influence to build ships, research technologies, and expand your empire.

Exploration: Explore new sectors of the galaxy, revealing new resources and challenges.

Ship Building: Construct and upgrade various types of ships to defend your empire and attack opponents.

Technology Research: Research technologies to gain new abilities and upgrades.

Area Control: Use influence discs to control sectors and gain resources.

Objective: The game ends after nine rounds, and the player with the most victory points, earned through controlling sectors, researching technologies, and destroying enemy ships, is declared the winner.

Player Experience

Playing Eclipse is a deeply immersive experience, requiring strategic planning and tactical execution. Players must balance resource collection, technological advancement, and military expansion to succeed. The game’s complexity and depth ensure that each playthrough is unique, with multiple paths to victory.

Pros

Deep Strategy: Offers a rich and complex gameplay experience.

High Replayability: Modular board and random sector tiles ensure each game is different.

Multiple Paths to Victory: Allows players to choose different strategies based on their playstyle.

Engaging Theme: The science fiction setting and exploration mechanics are highly engaging.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: Can be overwhelming for new players due to the many mechanics and rules.

Long Playtime: Games can take several hours to complete.

Complex Setup: Setting up the game requires some time and effort.

Personal Thoughts on Eclipse

Eclipse is a game designed for experienced gamers who enjoy complex strategic games. It is ideal for those who appreciate deep resource management, technological advancements, and area control mechanics. However, due to its complexity and long playtime, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those new to board games. For those willing to invest the time to learn and play, Eclipse offers a highly rewarding and challenging experience.

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