Welcome to the Moon (2021) Board Game

Welcome to the Moon is a city-building board game set in a futuristic, science fiction world where players compete to build the most prosperous and efficient city on the moon. Designed by Alexis Allard and Benoit Turpin, and published by Blue Cocker Games, this game offers a unique twist on the traditional city-building genre by incorporating elements of bingo, narrative choice, and pattern building.

Game Components of Welcome to the Moon

63 Starship cards: Each card has a number on the front and an action on the back.
– Includes robot, energy, plant, water, astronaut, and planning actions.

48 Mission cards: 6 cards for each of the 8 adventures, categorized into Mission A, B, and C.

Erasable sheets: For players to write their progress.

Campaign Book: Guides players through the 8 adventures, influencing the course of events with Campaign cards.

Markers and dry-erase pens: For tracking progress on the erasable sheets.

How To Setup Welcome to the Moon

To set up the game, start by reading the standard rules and then select the specific adventure or campaign mode. For campaign mode, follow the Campaign Book step-by-step. For individual adventures, pick the desired adventure and read its specific rules. Here’s a brief setup:

Shuffle the Starship cards and split them into three equal draw piles.

Take the Mission cards that match the chosen adventure and select 3 of them (Mission A, B, and C).

Place these Mission cards face up in the middle of the table.

Each player chooses an insignia and writes it on their starship near their scoring area.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Flip and Write Mechanic: Players flip the top cards from the Starship decks and choose one to write on their laminated sheet.

Narrative Adventure: The game unfolds through 8 different adventures, each contributing to a larger narrative with increasing difficulty.

Campaign Mode: Play the adventures in sequence, with Campaign cards influencing the story and gameplay.

Individual Adventures: Each adventure can be played separately.

Game Objective: Compete to complete common missions and save humanity through space colonization. The player with the most stars (or points) at the end of the campaign or individual adventure wins.

Player Experience

Playing **Welcome to the Moon** is very easy to learn, with depths of strategy that become apparent later. The game offers a versatile gaming experience, allowing players to choose between quick individual adventures or a thrilling succession of adventures to uncover the full story. Players appreciate the game’s components and gameplay, although some note that the packaging and shipping can be problematic. The adventures are quite enjoyable, even if the overarching campaign story is seen as somewhat lacking.

Pros

Evolving and Replayable: The game remains replayable without any components being destroyed or permanently modified.

Versatile Gameplay: Options to play individual adventures or a full campaign.

Increasing Difficulty: The narrative and challenges evolve as players progress through the adventures.

Easy to Learn: Simple rules with deep strategic layers.

Great Components: High-quality erasable sheets and markers.

Cons

Weak Campaign Story: Some players find the campaign story lacking and not very impactful.

Packaging Issues: Problems with packaging and shipping have been noted by some players.

Dependence on Dry-Erase Mechanics: Some players are not fond of using dry-erase boards and markers.

Personal Thoughts on Welcome to the Moon

**Welcome to the Moon** is ideal for fans of the “Welcome To…” series and those who enjoy narrative-driven roll & write games. It is particularly suited for players who appreciate a game that can be played in short sessions or as an extended campaign. While it may not be perfect for everyone, especially those who dislike dry-erase mechanics, it offers a unique and engaging experience that combines strategy and storytelling seamlessly. This game is a great addition to any board game collection, especially for those who enjoy evolving narratives and competitive gameplay.

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