Sensor Ghosts (2020) Board Game

Sensor Ghosts is a cooperative board game designed by Wren Games and released in in 2020. It falls under the categories of Abstract Strategy, Card Game, Puzzle, Science Fiction, and Space Exploration. The game is designed for 1 to 4 players, with a recommended age of 10 and up. Players take on the role of space pilots navigating their ship through a grid while avoiding dangerous sensor ghosts.

Game Components of Sensor Ghosts

Map: A 5×7 grid of square tiles with an entrance and an exit.

Virus Tokens: Placed face down on the map.

Tiles: Some with points of interest, others removed to increase difficulty.

Memory Cubes: Limited in number, used to keep track of information.

Player Powers: One-use abilities available to players.

How To Setup Sensor Ghosts

To set up the game, players create a map by arranging the 5×7 grid of tiles, ensuring the entrance is at the bottom left and the exit at the top right. Virus tokens are placed face down on the map, and a few tiles are removed to complicate the maze. This setup ensures each game is unique due to the random placement of tokens and tiles.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics:
– Cooperative gameplay
– Moving maze
– Hidden information
– Memory game elements

Objective:
– Find a pure sample of the virus and carry it to the exit.
– Complete this before going through the draw deck twice.

Player Experience

Sensor Ghosts is a challenging game that feels like a solo experience despite being listed for 1-4 players. The game requires careful planning and memory, as players must navigate a dynamic maze and keep track of limited information. The cooperative element adds an extra brain to help navigate the pathways, but the primary benefit comes from additional player powers. The game has a steep difficulty curve, making it satisfying to win but potentially less exciting after the first victory.

Pros

High Replayability: Each game setup is unique.

Challenging Puzzle: Engaging and requires strategic thinking.

Cooperative Element: Adds an extra layer of strategy with player powers.

Quick to Learn: Easy to understand the rules, though difficult to master.

Cons

Steep Difficulty Curve: Can feel like a brick wall to new players.

Limited Excitement After First Win: Games after the first victory may lose some excitement.

Memory Intensive: Not suitable for those who dislike memory games.

Feels More Solo-Oriented: Cooperative aspect is helpful but not crucial.

Personal Thoughts on Sensor Ghosts

Sensor Ghosts is ideal for fans of puzzles and memory games. It’s a great fit for solo players or those who enjoy a cooperative challenge with a small group. However, it may not be the best choice for those seeking a game with a smoother difficulty curve or more dynamic cooperative play. Despite its challenges, the game offers a very satisfying experience when you finally manage to solve the puzzle and escape with the virus sample.

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