Five Parsecs From Home: Solo Adventure Wargaming (2021) Board Game

Five Parsecs From Home is a solo adventure wargaming board game released in in 2021. Designed by Christian Quinot and featuring artwork by Modiphius Entertainment, this game falls into the categories of Miniatures, Science Fiction, and Wargame. It offers players the opportunity to engage in solo gameplay that is both challenging and immersive.

Game Components of Five Parsecs From Home: Solo Adventure Wargaming

Rulebook: A 184-page full-color hardback book containing all the rules, character creation, main rules, campaigns, battles, post-battle procedures, and setting details.

Miniatures: The game is miniatures-agnostic, allowing players to use any miniatures they have, including DIY options like board game pieces, Lego, or paper minis.

Dice: Requires six-sided and ten-sided dice for various checks and resolutions.

Random Tables: Includes numerous random tables for generating towns, trade, jobs, character events, and starship travel.

How To Setup Five Parsecs From Home: Solo Adventure Wargaming

To set up the game, players start by creating a crew of characters, typically consisting of three humans and three other characters such as aliens, robots, or strange beings. Each character has a unique background, motivations, and classes, all determined by random rolls. One character must be elected as the leader, which grants a luck bonus. The crew is then equipped with starting gear, weapons, and other assets based on their backgrounds. Players also need to set up their starship and determine the initial mission or job.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Campaign Turns: The game is structured around campaign turns, each of which involves travel, exploration, and inevitably, a battle.

Procedurally Generated Missions: Missions are generated using random tables, offering a wide array of enemies, objectives, and battlefield circumstances.

Combat System: A simple yet engaging combat system using a grid square, with rules for movement and engagement. The opposition is governed by basic doctrines or tactical tendencies.

Experience and Story Points: Players earn Experience Points (XP) to grow their characters and Story Points to influence the narrative.

Character Progression: Characters can level up, find new gear, or upgrade their starship after each battle.

Difficulty Settings: The game includes five difficulty settings plus super-hard Black and Red Zone jobs.

Player Experience

Playing Five Parsecs From Home offers a dynamic and unpredictable experience. The game’s randomization ensures that no two games are the same, providing a diverse and interesting crew composition and mission scenarios. The fast-moving system and simple combat rules make it accessible to both new and experienced gamers. The game encourages players to weave a narrative around their crew’s adventures, making it a compelling mix of tactical wargaming and role-playing elements.

Pros

High Replayability: Randomized missions and crew creation ensure high replayability.

Flexibility in Miniatures: Players can use any miniatures they have, making it accessible and cost-effective.

Engaging Narrative: The game allows players to build a story around their crew’s adventures, enhancing the gaming experience.

Simple yet Engaging Mechanics: The combat system is straightforward but engaging, with a focus on playability.

Cons

Limited Narrative Freedom: The game’s structure is somewhat rigid, which might not appeal to players seeking more narrative control.

No Real Role-Playing: The game lacks traditional role-playing elements, as it is primarily driven by tables and procedural generation.

Personal Thoughts on Five Parsecs From Home: Solo Adventure Wargaming

Five Parsecs From Home is ideal for solo gamers who enjoy a mix of tactical combat and role-playing elements. It is particularly suited for fans of science fiction and those who appreciate procedural generation and randomness in their gaming experiences. While it may not offer the same level of narrative freedom as some other RPGs, it provides a unique and engaging solo gaming experience that is both fun and challenging. If you’re looking for a game that combines the best of wargaming and RPGs in a solo format, Five Parsecs From Home is definitely worth checking out.

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