Horizons (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Horizons is a civilization-building board game set in a futuristic universe, where players take on the role of different factions exploring space and colonizing planets. Released in 2018 by Daily Magic Games, Horizons was designed by Levi Mote and features stunning artwork by Mihajlo Dimitrievski. The game combines elements of area majority/influence, modular board, and tile placement mechanics to create a dynamic and strategic gameplay experience.

Game Components of Horizons

Game board representing a star cluster

Player boards

Resource tokens

Ship tokens

Exploration tiles

Technology cards

Victory point tokens

How To Setup Horizons

Setting up Horizons involves several steps:

Place the game board in the middle of the playing area.

Each player chooses a player board and places it within reach.

Distribute the starting resources and ships according to the player count.

Shuffle and deal technology cards.

Determine the starting player.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Role Selection: Players select roles to perform different actions such as exploration, resource collection, and technology advancement.

Area Majority: Players compete to control areas of the star cluster.

Action Selection: Players choose actions that align with their selected roles.

Game Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most victory points by exploring, expanding, exploiting resources, and controlling key areas of the star cluster.

Player Experience

Horizons offers a dynamic and strategic gameplay experience. Players must balance their actions carefully, selecting roles that optimize their resource collection, exploration, and technological advancements. The game encourages long-term planning while allowing for flexible decision-making.

Pros

Engaging 4X Gameplay: Provides a condensed and accessible 4X experience.

Strategic Depth: Offers multiple paths to victory, requiring thoughtful planning.

Fast Playtime: Games typically last about an hour, making it a great fit for a variety of player groups.

Euro-Friendly: Features mechanics that appeal to fans of European-style board games.

Cons

Learning Curve: May require a few plays to fully grasp the optimal strategies.

Limited Player Interaction: Some players might find the interaction between players to be somewhat limited.

Personal Thoughts on Horizons

Horizons is ideal for players who enjoy strategic gameplay with a sci-fi theme but prefer games that do not take too long to complete. It is particularly suited for fans of 4X games who are looking for a more condensed experience. While it may not offer the deep complexity of longer 4X games, Horizons provides a satisfying blend of exploration, resource management, and technological advancement that makes it a compelling addition to any board game collection.

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