Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space (2010) Board Game

Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space is a hidden movement, hidden roles game published by Cranio Creations in in 2010. Designed by Mario Porpora, Pietro Righi Riva, Luca Francesco Rossi, and Nicolò Tedeschi, this game has gained popularity for its unique gameplay where players take on the roles of either humans trying to escape the aliens or the aliens trying to hunt down the humans.

Game Components of Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space

Map books: 8 map books for each player to track their movements.

Dry-wipe pens: For marking movements on the map books.

Wipes: To erase markings from the map books.

Cards: 102 cards, including escape pod cards and other game mechanics cards.

Rulebook: Detailed instructions for setting up and playing the game.

Ultimate Edition: Features plastic pages for the maps, which can be dry-erased.

How To Setup Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space

To set up the game, each player receives a map book and a dry-wipe pen. The game area is divided into a spaceship grid, where players mark their movements secretly. The escape pod cards are shuffled and placed face down on designated spaces. Players are randomly assigned roles as either Humans or Aliens, with their identities kept secret.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Roles: Players are either Humans trying to reach escape hatches or Aliens hunting the Humans.

Hidden Movement: Players mark their movements on their personal map books without revealing their positions to others.

Social Deduction: Players must interpret the movements and behaviors of others to identify who is a Human or an Alien.

Escape Pods: Humans aim to reach escape pods, but each pod can only be used once. One of the escape pod cards is red, indicating a malfunctioned pod.

Infection: If a Human is killed by an Alien, they become an infected Alien and switch roles.

Game Balance: The game is balanced with an equal number of Aliens and Humans in even-numbered games, and one more Alien than Humans in odd-numbered games.

Player Experience

Playing **Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space** is an intense and fun experience, especially with the hidden roles and secret movements. The game captures the theme of being on a badly damaged spaceship with an alien fungus infection, similar to the atmosphere of movies like “Alien” and “Aliens.” The tension builds as Humans try to escape while avoiding being hunted by the Aliens, and the dynamic of not knowing who is on your side adds a layer of excitement and social interaction.

Pros

High Fun Factor: The game is highly engaging and filled with laughter and suspense.

Great Theme: The setting and theme are well-executed, creating a immersive experience.

Balanced Gameplay: The mechanics ensure a balanced game between Humans and Aliens.

Social Deduction: The hidden roles and movements make for a compelling social deduction game.

Cons

Card Quality: Some players have noted a desire for better card quality.

Box Size: The original box may be too small to comfortably fit sleeved cards.

Personal Thoughts on Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space

**Escape from the Aliens in Outer Space** is ideal for fans of social deduction and hidden movement games. It is suitable for players aged 12 and above and supports 3 to 8 players, making it a great option for medium to large gaming groups. The game’s unique blend of strategy, bluffing, and intense gameplay ensures that each session is exciting and unpredictable. If you enjoy games that require strategic thinking and social interaction, this game is definitely worth considering.

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