Mole Rats in Space (2017) Board Game

Mole Rats in Space is a cooperative board game designed by Matt Leacock, known for his work on popular games like Pandemic. Released in 2017 by Peaceable Kingdom, this game is targeted towards children aged 7 and up, combining elements of animals and science fiction in a fun and engaging way.

Game Components of Mole Rats in Space

1 game board

51 cards

20 tokens

4 plastic mole rat movers

4 snake tokens

4 equipment tokens

Med-kit tokens for each mole rat

Challenge Pack (optional).

How To Setup Mole Rats in Space

Setting up the game is straightforward. Place one snake of each color on their starting spaces, and position the important equipment items on their designated spaces. Each mole rat figure, along with its med-kit, is placed on its starting space. Shuffle the deck of cards and deal one card face-up to each player. The youngest player starts the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:

Cooperative gameplay

Card-driven movement

Ladders and air-shafts for movement

Snake spawning and movement

Game Objective:

To win, players must work together to gather four pieces of equipment and get all the mole rats to the escape pod at the center of the board. The game is lost if:

A mole rat is bitten by a snake twice.

A mole rat falls through an air vent into outer space.

A snake gets into the escape pod.

Players run out of cards to play.

Player Experience

**Mole Rats in Space** is praised for its simplicity and engaging gameplay. Players appreciate the cooperative nature, which promotes teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking. Each turn, players draw a card that dictates both their mole rat’s movement and the snakes’ actions. The game requires balancing priorities such as gathering equipment, keeping mole rats safe from snakes, and navigating the space station efficiently. While the mechanics are simple, the game offers challenging and enjoyable problem-solving opportunities.

Pros

Cooperative Gameplay: Encourages teamwork and communication among players.

Easy to Learn: Simple setup and rules make it accessible to younger players.

Engaging Mechanics: Combines card-driven movement with strategic decision-making.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for ages 7 and up, making it a great family activity.

Challenge Pack: Includes additional cards to increase the game’s difficulty after winning a few games.

Cons

Luck-Driven: The outcome can be heavily influenced by card draws, reducing the feeling of control.

Alpha Player Problem: Experienced players might dominate the decision-making process.

Limited Complexity: Some players find the game too linear or frustrating due to the luck factor.

Personal Thoughts on Mole Rats in Space

**Mole Rats in Space** is an excellent choice for families and classrooms looking to foster teamwork and strategic thinking. Designed by Matt Leacock, it carries the hallmark of his cooperative game designs, making it both fun and challenging. It’s ideal for younger players who are introduced to cooperative gameplay and for families seeking a game that promotes collaboration and problem-solving. However, experienced gamers might find it a bit too straightforward or luck-dependent.

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