Star Trek Chrono-Trek (2019) Board Game

Star Trek Chrono-Trek is a board game released in 2019 that is based on the popular science fiction franchise, Star Trek. Designed by Kevin Hill and featuring artwork from Looney Labs, this game allows players to travel through time and space as they attempt to complete missions and alter the timeline.

Game Components of Star Trek Chrono-Trek

Timeline Cards: 36 cards representing key events in the Star Trek history.

ID Cards: Each player’s secret identity card, featuring a character from the Star Trek universe with specific goals.

Artifact Cards: Cards representing items like Tribbles or the Guardian of Forever.

Inverter Cards: Cards that alter the timeline by flipping Linchpin and Ripplepoint cards.

Event Cards: Cards that trigger various events, including the Devron Anomaly.

Fracture Cards: Cards that represent alternate timelines and can erase parts of the timeline.

Action Cards: Cards that allow players to steal, trade, or manipulate other players’ cards.

How To Setup Star Trek Chrono-Trek

To set up the game, players lay out a grid of 36 Timeline cards, forming the central timeline. Each player draws a hidden ID card and a set of main deck cards based on their character’s difficulty level. Players with higher difficulty levels draw additional cards. The player with the most difficult ID card or the one who most recently watched a Star Trek episode goes first.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Drawing and Playing Cards: Players draw a card and may play a card or draw two cards if they choose not to play.

Manipulating the Timeline: Using Inverter cards to flip Linchpin and Ripplepoint cards, altering key events in the Star Trek timeline.

Collecting Artifacts: Gathering necessary items to meet the goals listed on the ID card.

Managing Fractures: Dealing with Fracture cards that can erase parts of the timeline.

Game Objective: Each player aims to match the requirements on their ID card to win, which typically involves specific timeline adjustments and artifact collection.

Player Experience

Playing **Star Trek Chrono-Trek** is an immersive experience for fans of the Star Trek universe and time travel enthusiasts. The game is known for its high level of randomness, similar to other Looney Labs games like Fluxx. Games can be short, lasting just a few rounds, or extend up to 45 minutes. The game’s design ensures that each playthrough creates a unique narrative, with players altering the timeline and seeing the ripple effects of their actions. The game’s complexity varies based on the difficulty level of the ID cards, with higher levels requiring more conditions to be met for victory.

Pros

Deep Star Trek Lore: Incorporates detailed knowledge from all Star Trek series.

Engaging Time Travel Mechanics: Easy to manage despite the complexity of time travel effects.

Variable Game Length: Keeps the game exciting and unpredictable.

High Replayability: Each game offers a different experience due to random card draws and player interactions.

Interaction with Other Players: Plenty of opportunities to steal, trade, and manipulate other players’ cards.

Cons

Randomness: Can lead to quick and unexpected wins or losses.

Complexity for New Players: May require some learning to understand the full scope of the timeline and card interactions.

Dependence on Luck: Winning conditions can be heavily influenced by the cards drawn.

Personal Thoughts on Star Trek Chrono-Trek

**Star Trek Chrono-Trek** is ideal for fans of the Star Trek franchise who enjoy exploring alternate timelines and “what if” scenarios. The game’s randomness and variability make it appealing to those who enjoy dynamic and unpredictable gameplay. However, for those not familiar with Star Trek lore, the original Chrononauts might be a better introduction to the game mechanics. Overall, it’s a great addition to the collection of any Trekkie who loves time travel and strategic card play.

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