EONS is a board game released in 2013, designed by Christopher West. The game is set in space exploration and territory building theme, where players compete to colonize different planets and build their civilizations.
Game Components of EONS
Game Board: Features a victory point tracker, game phase tracker, universal resource pool, and an entropy tracker.Cards: 152 cards representing cosmic entities such as planets, stars, black holes, and events like supernovae and cosmic collisions.Essence Tokens: Represent the cosmic energy and resources needed to create and maintain stars and planets.Resource Tokens: Used for fashioning the universal landscape.Player Boards and Markers: For tracking individual player progress and resources.
How To Setup EONS
To set up EONS, players begin by placing the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a player board and places their markers on the victory point tracker. The deck of cosmic cards is shuffled, and each player draws a starting hand of seven cards. The essence and resource tokens are placed within reach of all players. The entropy tracker is set to the starting point, indicating the beginning of the game.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Phases: The game is played over five phases – Create, Accounting, Planning, Fusion, and Purchase.Create: Players use essence and resources to create stars, planets, and cosmic events.Accounting: Players manage their resources and essence.Planning: Players discard and draw cards to refresh their hand.Fusion: Stars undergo fusion to create heavier elements, with the lowest victory point player going first.Purchase: Players can acquire new cards and resources.Turn Order: Changes based on current victory points, with Create and Plan phases in descending order and Fusion and Purchase phases in ascending order.Objective: Players aim to build the best universe by generating essence and victory points through the creation of stars, planets, and other cosmic phenomena while managing entropy and cosmic events.
Player Experience
EONS offers a strategy-rich experience that is relatively simple to learn but challenging to master. The game can be taught to youngsters aged 8+, though they may need guidance on the strategic aspects. Games typically last between one to two hours, which can be a challenge for younger players with shorter attention spans. The dynamic turn order and the need to balance resource management with long-term strategy add depth to the game.
Pros
Engaging Theme: Building the universe from the Big Bang is a unique and captivating theme.Dynamic Turn Order: Changes in turn order based on victory points add a layer of strategy.Resource Management: Players must carefully manage their essence and resources.Variety of Cosmic Entities: The 152-card deck offers a wide range of possibilities.
Cons
Complexity for Younger Players: While the basics are simple, the strategic depth may be challenging for younger players.Attention Span: Games can last up to two hours, which may be too long for some players.Entropy Mechanic: The game’s entropy tracker can lead to a sense of urgency, but also adds complexity.
Personal Thoughts on EONS
EONS is for players who enjoy strategic, thematic games with a cosmic twist. It is particularly suited for those interested in space exploration and territory building. The game’s complexity and playtime make it more appealing to older children (recommended age 14+) and adults who are fond of intricate gameplay mechanics. For those who enjoy games like “Terraforming Mars” or “Scythe,” EONS offers a similar blend of resource management, strategic planning, and thematic immersion.
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