Star Saga (2017) Board Game – Board Game Guys

Star Saga is a cooperative dungeon-crawler board game released in 2017 by Mantic Games. Set in a futuristic science fiction universe, players take on the roles of mercenaries exploring a space station overrun by alien creatures. The game combines elements of adventure, exploration, and miniatures gameplay, offering a unique and immersive experience for 1-5 players.

Game Components of Star Saga

Rulebook and Mission Book: Includes an introductory mission, the Eiras Contract campaign, and additional rules.

Modular Board: Comprises 33 double-sided board tiles with detailed scenery.

Scenery Minis: Cabinets, terminals, tables, and other detailed miniatures.

Cards: Deployable equipment, mission bonuses, skill cards, and Nexus cards.

Custom Dice: Generic hits and blocks with scaling effects.

Tokens and Range Rulers: Various tokens, including small ones, and a flamethrower ruler.

Miniatures: Mercenary and minion characters.

How To Setup Star Saga

Setting up Star Saga involves reading a short backstory to understand the mission objective. Players arrange the modular board tiles, which, however, do not fit together snugly and lack numbering, making setup more cumbersome. Each mission has specific tile configurations outlined in the mission book. The Nexus player prepares the Nexus deck, and players choose their Mercenaries and equip them according to the mission requirements.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Phases of Play:

Mercenary Phase: Players move and perform actions like shooting, close assault, or interacting with scenery.

Nexus Phase: The Nexus player uses Nexus cards to activate minions, draw cards, and reveal event cards.

End Phase: Players clean up the board and prepare for the next round.

Dice Mechanics: Custom dice with hits and blocks that scale in effectiveness.

Objective: Mercenaries must achieve victory conditions while the Nexus player aims to cripple enough Mercenaries.

Loot and Upgrades: Mercenaries can pick up loot, receive mission bonuses, and upgrade with skill cards.

Player Experience

Playing Star Saga immerses players in a futuristic, story-driven world with detailed scenery and miniatures. The game offers a mix of strategic planning and tactical execution, with a narrative that evolves through each mission. However, the lack of fitting board tiles and their unnumbered sides can be frustrating.

Pros

Detailed Scenery and Miniatures: Enhances the gameplay experience.

Modular Board: Offers variety and replayability.

Story-Driven: Engaging narrative that evolves with each mission.

Custom Dice Mechanics: Unique and engaging combat system.

Upgrades and Loot: Players can improve their Mercenaries over time.

Cons

Board Tiles: Do not fit together well and lack numbering.

Card Design: Some cards, like Nexus cards, have dull artwork.

Token Size: Some tokens are too small.

Personal Thoughts on Star Saga

Star Saga is ideal for fans of science fiction and dungeon crawlers who enjoy a mix of strategy and narrative. The game is well-suited for players looking for a deep, immersive experience with plenty of replay value. However, the setup issues with the board tiles may deter some players. Despite this, the game’s detailed components and engaging mechanics make it a solid addition to any board game collection.

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