Planet B (2022) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Planet B is a board game that was released in 2022 by designer Johannes Natterer and published by Hans im Glück. The game falls under the categories of humor political and science fiction, offering a unique blend of gameplay elements that focus on market, voting, and worker placement mechanics.

Game Components of Planet B

Game Board: The main board with spaces for conglomerate tiles, markets, and news cards.

Player Boards: 4 individual boards for resource production tracks and inventory areas.

Conglomerate Tiles: 7 tiles (3xA, 4xB) that trigger actions when suitcases are placed.

Production Tiles: 40 tiles, 10 per player.

Swindle Tiles: 16 tiles, 4 per player.

Wooden Pieces: 244 pieces, including votes, workies (crafties and brainies), containers, discs, suitcases, and mood markers.

Cards: 120 cards comprising building cards, news cards, laws, end scoring cards, and office cards.

Banknotes: 160 banknotes of various denominations.

How To Setup Planet B

To set up the game, place the main board in the middle of the table. Sort and place the money (billies) and news cards according to their face value and type. Each player receives their own board, resource tracks, and initial inventory. Players choose their buildings through a snake draft, selecting one A, B, and C building each. Each player starts with 10 billies, 2 crafties, 2 brainies, and a headquarters card. The faction track and mood markers are also set up accordingly.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Resource Management: Players manage resources (billies, crafties, brainies) to perform actions.

Engine Building: Build and upgrade buildings to advance in the game.

Vote Stacking: Influence elections to gain advantages.

Action Placement: Place suitcases on conglomerate tiles to trigger actions.

News and Laws: Use news cards and laws to gain benefits or hinder opponents.

Elections: Trigger elections to become the president and gain significant rewards.

Objective: The goal is to accumulate the most money (victory points) by the end of the game, which is triggered when all conglomerate tiles are removed.

Player Experience

**Planet B** offers a complex yet engaging gameplay experience, reminiscent of classic German board games. Players must balance multiple tasks, such as acquiring resources, building structures, and maneuvering for votes. The game features a novel election mechanism, which adds a unique twist. Players need to weigh the benefits of seeking votes against other strategic actions, all while managing the potential penalties associated with each choice[4′.

Pros

Complex Interacting Systems: Combines resource management, engine building, and vote stacking.

Novel Election Mechanism: Adds a unique and engaging layer to the game.

Strategic Depth: Requires players to make balanced and calculated decisions.

Replayability: Different conglomerate tiles and news cards ensure varied gameplay experiences.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for new players due to multiple interacting systems.

Penalties and Risks: Some actions come with significant penalties, which can be daunting.

Limited Building Availability: Piles of buildings can run out, limiting player options.

Personal Thoughts on Planet B

**Planet B** is ideal for fans of complex strategy games who enjoy balancing multiple mechanics. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate games with deep strategic depth and those who are willing to invest time in learning and mastering the game. While it may not be the best fit for casual gamers due to its complexity, it offers a rich and rewarding experience for those who enjoy intricate gameplay and strategic challenges.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.