Periorbis (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Periorbis is a board game released in 2017 by Perihelion Games. It is set in a science fiction world where players take on the roles of space corporations competing to develop thriving space colonies. The game combines elements of economic strategy, space exploration, and transportation.

Game Components of Periorbis

Game board representing an asteroid belt

Player boards for each player

Worker tokens

Resource tokens (precious ore)

Transportation tokens

Market cards

Various other tokens and markers for tracking progress and resources

How To Setup Periorbis

To set up Periorbis, each player chooses a player board and places their worker tokens on it. The main game board, which depicts an asteroid belt, is placed in the center of the playing area. Resource tokens, transportation tokens, and market cards are distributed according to the game’s setup rules. Players start with a set amount of resources and a predefined number of worker tokens.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Worker Placement: Players place their worker tokens on various spaces on the board to perform actions such as mining, transporting, and selling resources.

Orbital Mechanic: The game features a unique mechanic where the asteroid belt rotates, affecting the availability of resources and the optimal placement of workers.

Resource Management: Players must manage their resources efficiently to maximize their earnings.

Game Objective: The goal is to mine, transport, and sell as much precious ore as possible over 12 turns, which represents one full revolution of the asteroid belt.

Player Experience

Playing Periorbis involves a mix of strategic planning and tactical execution. Players need to balance their resource gathering with the need to transport and sell those resources at the right time, taking into account the rotating asteroid belt. The game requires careful planning and adaptability, making it engaging for players who enjoy complex strategies and resource management.

Pros

Unique Orbital Mechanic: Adds a dynamic layer to the traditional worker placement genre.

High Replayability: The rotating asteroid belt and variable resources ensure different experiences each game.

Engaging Strategy: Requires players to think ahead and adapt to changing conditions.

Thematic Immersion: The deep space mining theme is well-integrated into the gameplay mechanics.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for new players due to the unique mechanics and multiple layers of strategy.

Setup Time: Setting up the game can be time-consuming due to the distribution of various components.

Length of Game: Games can be long, especially with more players, as each turn involves multiple decisions and actions.

Personal Thoughts on Periorbis

Periorbis is ideal for players who enjoy complex strategy games and are looking for something beyond the traditional worker placement genre. It’s a great fit for experienced board game enthusiasts who appreciate unique mechanics and high replayability. However, it may not be the best introduction for new players due to its complexity and setup time.

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