Nebula (2023) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Nebula is a captivating abstract strategy board game designed by Luna Vargas and published in in 2023. With a unique combination of grid coverage pattern-building and track movement mechanics, Nebula challenges players to strategically connect their pieces to create the most efficient pathways across the board.

Game Components of Nebula

Individual player boards with dual-layer design for star placement

Star clusters board

Central Boosted star

Colored stars (six colors plus black stars)

Time indicators (hourglasses)

Personal Objective cards

Race Objective cards

Advanced Objective cards

Value tokens and Value board

Black star track

Cloth bag for star storage

Rulebook available in Spanish and English.

How To Setup Nebula

To set up Nebula, place the star cluster board on the table and fill the three star clusters and the central Boosted star with stars drawn from the bag. Each player receives their own board, showing four different constellations across five orbits, and a track for black stars at the top. Players are dealt two Personal Objective cards and choose one for the game. The Values board is placed near the Cluster board, and the 14 Value tokens are set in their starting spaces. Four Race objective cards and four Advanced Objective cards are drawn randomly. Players start with an initial number of random stars from the bag in their Observation area.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Key Mechanics

Star Drafting: Players use time indicators to collect up to three stars from the star clusters or choose the “chaos” option to discard a star and draw new ones.

Star Placement: Stars must be placed adjacent to existing stars on the player’s board, with the restriction that no two stars of the same color can be adjacent.

Objective Completion: Players aim to fulfill personal and shared objectives, which include connecting specific colors of stars and completing constellations.

Black Star Placement: Black stars are placed on a separate track and influence the scoring and the current Boosted star color.

Game Objective

The objective is to score points by fulfilling personal and shared objectives, completing constellations, and strategically placing black stars. The game ends when the black star track is completed, a player completes three constellations, the bag of stars is empty, or enough Race Objective markers are placed. Points are calculated from completed objectives, constellation values modified by Value Markers, and the final position of the black star markers.

Player Experience

Nebula offers a engaging and visually appealing experience with its elegant drafting system and puzzly star placement mechanics. The game is easy to learn but rewards forward planning and strategy. It is suitable for players aged 8 and above and typically takes 30-40 minutes to play. The dual-layer boards and the glow-in-the-dark nebula detail add to the game’s attractiveness and playability.

Pros

Attractive Table Presence: The game components, including the glow-in-the-dark nebula, are of high quality and visually appealing.

Engaging Mechanics: The drafting and star placement mechanics are fresh and interesting.

Strategic Depth: The game rewards forward planning and strategy.

Easy to Learn: Simple to teach and learn, despite its depth.

Multi-Language Support: Rulebook and cards available in both Spanish and English.

Cons

Color Distinction: Orange and red stars can be difficult to distinguish in less-than-perfect light.

Marker Stability: Markers can be easily jogged during play.

Scoring Complexity: Scoring can be time-consuming and requires a calculator.

Personal Thoughts on Nebula

Nebula is ideal for fans of abstract strategy and puzzle games who enjoy drafting and pattern-building mechanics. It is a great addition to any game collection, offering a unique and challenging experience. While it may be too complex for very young children due to the advanced objectives, it is generally accessible to players aged 8 and above. The game’s beauty and engaging gameplay make it a standout in its category, and it is highly recommended for those looking for a fresh and puzzly experience.

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