Planet (2018) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Planet is a board game released in 2018 by Blue Orange. It was designed by Urtis Šulinskas and features artwork by Sabrina Miramon. The game falls under the categories of Environmental, Puzzle, and Science Fiction, making it a unique and engaging experience for players. With a recommended age of 8 and up, Planet is suitable for a wide range of players.

Game Components of Planet

Planet Cores: Magnetically charged dodecahedrons

Continent Tiles: 50 pentagonal tiles with different geographical segments (oceans, ice, grasslands, etc.)

Animal Cards: 20 cards representing various species with specific habitat requirements

Natural Habitat Objective Cards: Secret cards given to each player at the start of the game

Tiles and Animal Card Stacks: Face-down stacks of tiles and offset Animal cards

How To Setup Planet

To set up Planet, each player starts with an empty planet core and a secret Natural Habitat objective card. The continent tiles are shuffled and divided into ten face-down stacks of five tiles each. Animal cards are randomly placed next to these tile stacks, offset so that the first animal card is next to the third stack of tiles. This setup prepares the game for its 12 rounds.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Tile Selection: Each round, players select one continent tile from the revealed stack and attach it to their planet core.

Region Formation: Tiles form regions based on contiguous areas of the same terrain.

Animal Attraction: Starting from the third round, players check if their planet meets the habitat requirements of the animal cards. There are three types of requirements:
– Having the most of one kind of Region.
– Having the biggest Region of one kind touching a specified Habitat.
– Having the biggest Region of one kind not touching a specified Habitat.

Scoring: Players score points for animal cards that match or do not match their Natural Habitat card. Each matching card is worth 1 point, and each non-matching card is worth 2 points. Additional points are awarded based on the number of areas of the player’s Natural Habitat on their planet.

Player Experience

Playing Planet involves a blend of strategic planning and luck. The game is quick, with early rounds taking less than a minute and the entire game lasting about 20 minutes. Players must balance short-term and long-term goals, considering both their secret habitat and upcoming animal cards. The game’s 3D planet-building aspect adds a unique and visually appealing element, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.

Pros

Visual Appeal: The 3D planet cores and magnetic tiles are visually stunning.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for families and players of all ages.

Balance of Luck and Strategy: Random tile draws combined with strategic tile placement.

Quick Gameplay: Games are short, allowing for multiple plays in a session.

Variations: Includes variations to make the game easier or more challenging.

Cons

Limited Deep Strategy: Not ideal for players seeking complex, deep strategic gameplay.

Tiebreakers: Can be complex, especially in later rounds.

Guesswork on Opponents’ Strategies: Difficult to fully understand opponents’ plans due to the secret nature of the Natural Habitat cards.

Personal Thoughts on Planet

Planet is an excellent choice for families and casual gamers looking for a game that combines spatial reasoning, strategic thinking, and a fun, interactive experience. It is not suited for players who prefer highly complex or deeply strategic games, but it excels as a light, engaging filler game that can be played multiple times in a single session. Its unique 3D mechanics and colorful components make it a standout on any game table.

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