Living Planet (2019) Board Game

Living Planet is a board game released in 2019 that combines economic, environmental, and science fiction themes. Designed by Bertrand Benoit, Stéphane Gantiez, and Ismaël Pommaz, the game challenges players to manage resources and navigate a hexagon grid in a unique and strategic way.

Game Components of Living Planet

Modular Board: The planet is explored through randomly added tiles.

Action Cards: Players choose and reveal these simultaneously.

Worker Placement tokens: For managing resources and actions.

Area Control/Influence markers: To mark territories and resources.

Trading components: For exchanging resources and goods.

How To Setup Living Planet

To set up Living Planet, start by assembling the modular board, adding tiles as the planet is explored. Each player chooses a Galactic Corporation and receives the corresponding action cards and worker placement tokens. The game components, including trading materials and area control markers, are distributed according to the player count and starting conditions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Simultaneous Play: Players choose and reveal their action cards at the same time.

Hand Management: Managing action cards to optimize strategies.

Worker Placement: Assigning tokens to different areas for resource management and actions.

Trading: Exchanging resources and goods between players.

Area Control/Influence: Competing to control territories and resources on the planet.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most victory points by efficiently exploiting the planet’s resources, managing market fluctuations, and surviving cataclysms.

Player Experience

Living Planet offers a dynamic and strategic experience, combining elements of area control, worker placement, and trading. Players must balance short-term gains with long-term strategies, all while navigating the unpredictable environment of the planet. The simultaneous action selection adds a layer of excitement and unpredictability, as players must anticipate and react to their opponents’ moves.

Pros

Dynamic Gameplay: The modular board and simultaneous action selection create a unique game environment each time.

Deep Strategy: Multiple mechanics offer a rich and challenging experience.

Interactive: Players are constantly interacting with each other through trading and area control.

Thematic Immersion: The sci-fi setting and cataclysms add a compelling narrative element.

Cons

Complexity: The game involves multiple mechanics, which can be overwhelming for new players.

Playtime: Games can be lengthy, especially with experienced players.

Luck Factor: Random events and tile draws can significantly impact gameplay.

Personal Thoughts on Living Planet

Living Planet is ideal for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex strategies and dynamic gameplay. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate combining different mechanics like worker placement, trading, and area control. However, due to its complexity and length, it may not be the best fit for casual or new players. If you’re looking for a game that challenges your strategic thinking and offers a unique sci-fi experience, Living Planet is definitely worth considering.

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