Farlight (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Farlight is a board game that was released in 2017 and designed by Dann May. It falls under the category of bluffing, dice, science fiction, and space exploration. Players take on the role of space engineers competing to build the best spaceship in the galaxy.

Game Components of Farlight

Game board

Player boards

Rocket tiles

Crew cards

Resource tokens

Bid tokens

Dice (for resolving certain actions)

Rulebook

How To Setup Farlight

To set up Farlight, players start by placing the main game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player selects a player board and places it within reach. The rocket tiles, crew cards, and resource tokens are shuffled and placed face down on their designated spaces on the board. Each player receives a set of bid tokens and a starting amount of resources. The rulebook provides detailed steps for the initial setup.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Blind Bidding: Players bid on various components and crew members without knowing the bids of other players.

Tile Placement: Players assemble their rockets using tiles, each with different abilities and requirements.

Resource Management: Players need to manage resources to build and launch their rockets.

Set Collection: Gathering the right components and crew is crucial for a successful launch.

Objective: The goal is to be the first player to launch a fully equipped rocket into space.

Player Experience

Farlight offers a dynamic and strategic gameplay experience. Players must balance their resource management with the need to outbid their opponents for crucial components. The game requires a mix of short-term and long-term planning, as players need to assemble a viable rocket while also ensuring they have the resources to launch it. The blind bidding mechanism adds an element of suspense and unpredictability.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Combines bidding, resource management, and tile placement for a challenging and engaging experience.

Dynamic Gameplay: Each game can play out differently due to the blind bidding and tile placement mechanics.

Thematic Integration: The space theme is well-integrated into the gameplay mechanics.

Component Quality: The game components, such as the rocket tiles and crew cards, are of good quality.

Cons

Complexity: The game has a moderate to high complexity level, which might be discouraging for new players.

Learning Curve: The rules and mechanics can take some time to learn and master.

Playtime: Games can be relatively long, lasting around 60-90 minutes.

Personal Thoughts on Farlight

Farlight is ideal for players who enjoy strategic games with multiple layers of complexity. It suits those who appreciate the combination of bidding, resource management, and set collection mechanics. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, experienced players will find it challenging and rewarding. If you’re a fan of space-themed games and are willing to invest time in learning the rules, Farlight is definitely worth checking out.

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