Under Falling Skies (2020) Board Game

Under Falling Skies is a solo board game released in 2020 by Czech Games Edition. Designed by Tomáš Uhlíř, this science fiction game puts players in charge of defending Earth from an alien invasion using dice rolling and strategic decision-making.

Game Components of Under Falling Skies

Dice: 7 wooden dice

Ships: 5 purple ships, 4 white ships, and 1 special orange ship

Tokens: 3 plastic tokens, 1 excavator token

Tiles: 1 mothership tile, 4 sky tiles, 3 underground base tiles, 3 city tiles, and additional tiles for the campaign

Campaign Content: 1 campaign notebook, 4 chapter comics sheets, 14 more cities, 12 upgradable characters, 13 unique scenarios, and cardboard scenario tokens

Rulebook: Included for comprehensive rules.

How To Setup Under Falling Skies

To set up the game, you first assemble the modular board by combining the underground base tiles and city tiles. Each city has a unique layout and special power. You place the sky tiles above the base, representing the incoming alien threat. The dice, ships, and tokens are then placed according to the initial setup rules. The excavator token is used to expand your underground base, unlocking new actions and rooms. The mothership tile tracks its descent, increasing the tension as the game progresses[5%.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Dice Placement Mechanic: Players place dice in different rooms of the underground base to perform actions such as generating energy, activating fighters, creating research points, or excavating new rooms.

Alien Descent: Bigger dice numbers result in better effects but also cause alien ships to descend faster.

Mothership Phase: The mothership moves down each turn, triggering various consequences like losing research points or spawning extra alien fighters.

Objective: The goal is to complete the research track before the city is destroyed or the mothership lands[5%.

Player Experience

Under Falling Skies offers a highly engaging and challenging solo experience. Each game is unique due to the modular setup and varying city layouts. The game requires strategic thinking and careful planning, as the escalating tension from the descending alien ships adds a thrilling element. The gameplay is fast-paced, with most sessions lasting between 20-40 minutes. The campaign mode introduces new challenges and twists, ensuring high replay value.

Pros

Innovative Dice Placement Mechanic: Combines strategy and luck, making each decision impactful.

High Replay Value: Modular setup and campaign mode ensure varied game experiences.

Quality Components: Sturdy, well-designed pieces and visually appealing artwork.

Solo Focus: Designed specifically for solo play, providing a seamless and immersive experience.

Challenging and Rewarding: Balances challenge and reward, making victories satisfying.

Cons

Complex Setup: The board layout can be tricky to manage, especially in smaller spaces.

Limited Portability: The game box is quite heavy due to the numerous components, making it less travel-friendly[4%.

Personal Thoughts on Under Falling Skies

Under Falling Skies is a must-have for any solo board game enthusiast. It offers a rich, immersive experience with deep strategic layers and high replayability. The game is ideal for those who enjoy science fiction themes, dice placement mechanics, and challenging solo campaigns. While it may not be the most portable game, the quality and depth of the gameplay make it well worth the space it occupies in your collection.

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