Pax Transhumanity (2019) Board Game

Pax Transhumanity is a science fiction board game that was released in in 2019. Designed by Karim Chakroun and Johanna Pettersson, this game takes players into a futuristic world where they must navigate economic and scientific challenges to achieve victory.

Game Components of Pax Transhumanity

Large collection of cards representing ideas and innovations

Cardboard chits

Wooden cubes (agents)

Optional foldable double-sided game board for Pax Transhumanity and Pax Porfiriana

Player boards

Capital, wealth, and debt cubes

How To Setup Pax Transhumanity

Setting up Pax Transhumanity involves arranging the central market of cards, which is divided into four columns or Spheres: Assembly, Computing, Group dynamics, and Transbiology. Each player starts with a set of agents (wooden cubes) and an initial amount of capital. The game does not use traditional money; instead, players manage their resources through the movement of cubes between capital, wealth, and debt sections on their player boards.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Market Manipulation: Players access and manipulate the central market by performing various actions.

Agent Placement: Players place their agents on Idea cards to syndicate ideas and use special abilities.

Resource Management: Manage capital, wealth, and debt by moving cubes between these sections.

Research and Commercialization: Research and commercialize ideas to contribute to human progress.

Company Formation: Found companies in different Spheres to counteract global problems and score points.

Regime Management: The game’s regime, determined by the Human Progress Splay, influences what actions are beneficial and what scores at the end of the game.

Objective: The goal is to ensure your vision for humanity’s future is dominant by commercializing ideas, forming companies, and solving global problems.

Player Experience

Pax Transhumanity offers a deeply strategic and adaptive gameplay experience. Players must navigate a constantly changing market and regime, making meaningful decisions that impact the game’s outcome. The game is notorious for its complexity and high degree of player interaction, making it a challenging but rewarding experience. Players need to balance resource management, agent placement, and idea commercialization to achieve their objectives.

Pros

Multiple Routes to Victory: The game offers variable and changing victory conditions.

Meaty Decisions: Players must make significant strategic choices each turn.

Quick Gameplay: Despite its complexity, the game has a relatively quick play time.

Variable Deck: The deck of cards ensures high replayability.

Thematic Depth: The game explores futuristic themes and innovations in a non-dystopian setting.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve: The game is difficult to learn due to its intricate mechanisms and rules.

Abstract Theme: While the theme is rich, it can feel abstract and detached from the game’s mechanical elements.

Complex Rulebook: The rulebook is extensive, with 59 footnotes, which can be daunting for new players.

Personal Thoughts on Pax Transhumanity

Pax Transhumanity is for experienced board game enthusiasts who enjoy complex, strategic gameplay with deep thematic elements. It is particularly suited for those interested in science fiction and speculative futures, as well as players who appreciate resource management and market manipulation mechanics. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, it is highly rewarding for those who are willing to invest the time to learn and master its intricacies.

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