Undermining (2011) Board Game

Undermining is a board game released in 2011, designed by Gavan Brown and published by Z-Man Games. It falls under the categories of Science Fiction, Space Exploration, and Transportation. The game is designed for 2 to 5 players, with a playing time of around 45 minutes. With a focus on action points, contracts, grid movement, pick-up and deliver, and set collection, Undermining offers a unique gameplay experience for fans of strategy games.

Game Components of Undermining

Double-sided game board

18 contract cards

18 star buck tiles

16 equipment tiles

5 unavailable bay tiles

5 player mats

10 alien tech cards

5 plastic UMVees (Universal Mining Vehicles)

129 debris tiles

40 wooden battery cubes.

How To Setup Undermining

To set up the game, each player receives a UMVee and a player mat. The game board is set up with a random layout of resources, and three contracts are chosen randomly to be face-up. Solid rock is placed on the top row of the board, and resource tiles are distributed accordingly. In a 5-player game, each player blocks a space with an unavailable cargo bay tile. Players start by placing their UMVees on one of the four above-ground spaces.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Mechanics

Action Points: Players start with three action points per turn, which can be increased by using reactors or spending battery cubes.

Contracts: Players aim to fulfill contracts for specific resources.

Grid Movement: Players move their UMVees on a grid-based board.

Pick-up and Deliver: Players collect resources and deliver them to their storage areas.

Set Collection: Collecting resources, upgrades, and alien technologies.

Game Objective

The objective is to earn the most “star bucks” by fulfilling contracts, upgrading the UMVee, finding alien technologies, and having resources at the end of the game. The game ends when one or more stacks of star buck tiles are depleted.

Player Experience

Undermining is a highly interactive game where player actions can both benefit and impact others. Players must manage their battery power to perform extra actions and navigate through the board, which includes blocking and moving through other UMVees. The game features a double-sided board, ensuring that player interaction and strategies vary significantly between games. It is relatively quick, taking about 45 minutes to play, and is suitable for players aged 8 and up.

Pros

Highly Interactive: Player actions influence each other, adding a dynamic layer to the game.

Variable Setup: The random layout of resources and double-sided board ensure unique games each time.

Upgrade and Strategy: Upgrading the UMVee provides special abilities, adding depth to gameplay.

Easy to Learn: Intuitive rules make it accessible to both casual and experienced players.

Cons

Component Quality: While the components are generally of high quality, the cards may be a tad thin and require sleeving.

Limited Appeal for Experienced Players: The game’s simplicity might make it less appealing for more seasoned gamers.

Personal Thoughts on Undermining

Undermining is a great fit for those looking for a light to medium-weight game that combines resource management, strategy, and a bit of luck. It’s ideal for casual gaming groups and families due to its easy-to-learn mechanics and relatively short playtime. While it may not be the main attraction for an evening of gaming for experienced players, it serves well as a change of pace or a filler game. Fans of the Flash game MotherLoad will particularly appreciate the similar theme and gameplay elements.

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