Nexus Ops (2005) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Nexus Ops is a science fiction board game that was first released in in 2005. It was designed by Christopher Burdett, Henning Ludvigsen, Scott Okumura, and Anthony Waters. The game is published by Avalon Hill and Fantasy Flight Games, and falls into the categories of exploration, fighting, science fiction, and wargame. With a runtime of 90 minutes, Nexus Ops is suitable for 2 to 4 players aged 12 and above.

Game Components of Nexus Ops

164 Plastic Figures: Including humans, fungoids, crystallines, rock striders, lava leapers, and rubium dragons, each with unique abilities and attack values.

108 Cards: Mission, Secret Mission, and Energize cards that influence gameplay.

16 Game Board Tiles: Used to create a modular board with randomized setup.

1 Double-Sided Monolith Tile: A central 3D monolith that provides bonuses.

24 Exploration Tokens: Reveal mines, units, or other benefits when hexes are explored.

70 Rubium Gems: The game’s currency for recruiting units.

6 Dice: Used for resolving combat.

1 Rulebook: Includes original and optional rules.

How To Setup Nexus Ops

To set up Nexus Ops, players start by arranging the modular board using the 16 game board tiles, with the 3D monolith placed at the center. Each player chooses a corporation and sets up their homebase hexes. Exploration tiles are placed face down on each hex, and players receive their starting rubium and initial units. The setup varies slightly depending on the number of players involved.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Modular Board: Randomized board setup using hex tiles.

Resource Management: Players collect and use rubium to recruit units.

Combat Resolution: Dice-based combat with each unit having a different attack value.

Secret Missions: Cards that provide additional victory points if specific conditions are met.

Energize Cards: Special powers that can be used during battles.

Objective: Be the first player to achieve 12 (or a chosen number) victory points through winning battles and completing secret missions.

Player Experience

Nexus Ops offers a fast-paced and exciting experience, encouraging continuous action through its combat mechanics and secret missions. The game is designed to keep players engaged, with few moments of downtime. The colorful, translucent miniatures and the randomized board setup ensure the game feels fresh even after multiple plays. Players must balance resource management, unit recruitment, and strategic combat to succeed.

Pros

Engaging Combat Mechanics: Encourages active play and strategic unit deployment.

Randomized Board: Ensures high replayability with different setups each game.

Secret Missions: Add a layer of strategy and surprise to the game.

Fast Paced: Games typically last between 60-90 minutes with minimal downtime.

Colourful Miniatures: Translucent “blacklight glow” figures enhance the game’s visual appeal.

Cons

Dice Combat Randomness: Some players may find the reliance on dice rolls too luck-based.

Monolith Durability: The central monolith can be a bit flimsy.

Personal Thoughts on Nexus Ops

Nexus Ops is an excellent choice for those looking for a light wargame with a strong focus on strategy and action. It is ideal for introducing new gamers to the genre or for experienced players seeking a lighter, yet engaging, gaming experience. The game’s mix of resource management, combat, and secret missions makes it a great addition to any board game collection, especially for fans of space-themed and strategic gameplay.

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