The Captain Is Dead: Lockdown (2017) Board Game

The Captain Is Dead: Lockdown is a cooperative board game released in 2017, designed by Gaetano Leonardi and published by Alderac Entertainment Group. It is set in a science fiction universe where players must work together to survive an alien invasion on their spaceship.

Game Components of The Captain Is Dead: Lockdown

Game board: Represents the alien prison planet.

73 cards: Various skill cards, alert cards, and other game mechanics cards.

94 mini cards: Additional resources and actions.

51 Cardboard characters & aliens: Unique crew members and alien enemies.

5 Plastic markers: For tracking progress and alerts.

7 Reference Cards: For quick rule checks.

Rulebook: Detailed instructions for gameplay.

Tools, weapons, and contraband cards: For enhancing player abilities and strategies.

How To Setup The Captain Is Dead: Lockdown

To set up the game, players first place the game board in the middle of the playing area. Each player chooses a unique crew member character, each with their own special abilities. The alert deck, skill cards, and other resources are shuffled and placed within reach of all players. The players start in the holding cell, and the alien patrols are set up according to the rules. The concealment level is set to 100%, and the launch track and stealth track are initialized. Players then draw their starting skill cards and tools to begin the game.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Actions: Each player has four actions per turn, which can include movement, hacking/unlocking systems, trading cards and tools, attacking aliens, and using prison systems.

Alert Mechanic: At the end of each player’s turn, an alert card is drawn, which can bring out aliens, move patrols, or capture crew members.

Concealment Level: This level decreases with each alarm triggered and can lead to player elimination if it reaches zero.

System Hacking: Players can hack systems for immediate use but at the risk of triggering alarms.

Alien Encounters: Aliens can capture or kill crew members if they are in the same location.

Objective: The crew must work together to unlock the prison’s systems, gather resources, and escape using a launch vehicle.

Player Experience

**The Captain Is Dead: Lockdown** offers a tense and engaging cooperative experience, reminiscent of sci-fi TV shows like Star Trek. Players must balance numerous tasks, including unlocking systems, avoiding aliens, and managing the concealment level to avoid elimination. The game is highly thematic, with each character having unique abilities and Veteran upgrades that add depth to the gameplay. The constant threat of alarms and alien encounters maintains a high level of tension throughout the game.

Pros

High Replayability: With 20 unique characters and multiple scenarios, the game offers a lot of variety.

Thematic Immersion: The game’s theme and mechanics closely replicate the feel of a sci-fi TV episode.

Tense and Engaging: Constant threats and challenges keep players on their toes.

Streamlined Mechanics: Alien actions and alert systems are well-organized and easy to manage.

Respawn Mechanic: Eliminated players can re-enter the game with a different character, reducing downtime.

Cons

Complex Rules: The game has a lot of rules and can be slow to learn.

Alpha Player Issue: Cooperative games can sometimes be dominated by a single player.

High Difficulty: The game is challenging, and the concealment level mechanism can lead to quick player elimination if not managed carefully.

Personal Thoughts on The Captain Is Dead: Lockdown

**The Captain Is Dead: Lockdown** is ideal for fans of cooperative games and sci-fi themes. It is particularly suited for players who enjoy strategic teamwork, managing multiple tasks, and overcoming high-stakes challenges. While it can be complex and demanding, the game’s thematic richness and engaging gameplay make it a rewarding experience for those who enjoy tense, cooperative adventures. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those who prefer simpler rulesets.

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