Moons (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Moons is a card game released in 2017 by United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is designed to be both educational and entertaining, focusing on space exploration and set collection mechanics. The game is suitable for players aged 8 and above, with a runtime of 20 minutes and accommodating 3 to 6 players.

Game Components of Moons

Cards: The game includes a deck of cards depicting the orbiting bodies of the mentioned planets, with values from 1 to 14, along with scientific factoids.

Asteroid Cards: Four asteroid cards and a deck of mini asteroid cards that provide special abilities or scoring bonuses.

Planet Tokens: Tokens representing the moons of the planets, which are awarded based on winning tricks.

Mini Asteroid Cards: These cards offer special abilities during play or additional scoring opportunities at the end of the game.

How To Setup Moons

To set up Moons, each player receives an initial hand of cards, which varies depending on the number of players. Players also receive a couple of mini asteroid cards before the first hand. The rule book instructs to deal out the entire deck, and players choose three cards to form their tableau, which affects scoring.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Trick-Taking: Players lead a card, and others must follow suit if possible. Asteroid cards allow players to take another mini asteroid card or play off suit.

Winning Tricks: The highest card of the suit led wins the trick, and the winner takes a planet token corresponding to their tableau.

Planet Tokens: Tokens are scored at the end of the game, with complete sets of four tokens worth 10 points, three of a kind worth 2 points each, and singletons worth 1 point.

Mini Asteroid Cards: These cards provide special abilities during play or additional scoring opportunities at the end.

Player Experience

Moons offers a familiar yet unique trick-taking experience. The game is approachable for newcomers due to its simple mechanics but also engaging for experienced players with its set collection and interactive elements. The game is best with 3-4 players, as this number highlights the classical trick-taking feel and makes the most of the set collection and interactive elements.

Pros

Approachable Design: Simple enough for new players to understand.

Interactive Elements: Asteroid cards add a layer of interaction and strategy.

Set Collection Scoring: Rewards players for collecting sets of planet tokens.

Astronomy Facts: Includes fun and educational astronomy facts on the cards.

Cons

Limited Card Distribution: With six players, the game can feel short on cards, affecting strategy.

No Partnership Variant: Lacks a partnership version, which is a common feature in trick-taking games.

Random Bonus Scoring: Some players find the bonus scoring from mini asteroid cards to be too random.

Personal Thoughts on Moons

Moons is a great game for those who enjoy traditional trick-taking but are looking for something with a bit more personality and interactive elements. It’s an excellent choice for groups of 3-4 players and is particularly appealing to those who appreciate astronomy and educational content in their games. While it may not offer the complexity of more advanced trick-taking games, it provides a fun and engaging experience that is easy to learn and play.

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