Wild Space (2020) Board Game

Wild Space is a board game released in 2020 by Catch Up Games. Designed by Joachim Thôme and illustrated by Amélie Guinet, this game falls under the categories of Animals, Card Game, Science Fiction, and Space Exploration. With a runtime of 15-40 minutes, Wild Space is suitable for 1-5 players aged 10 and above.

Game Components of Wild Space

Card Types:
– Specialist cards (animals from 6 species: owls, lizards, bears, octopii, bison, and monkeys)
– Emissary cards (mission cards for end-game points)
– Robot cards (grant points or one-time effects)
– Captain cards (each with a unique species and occupation)

Planet Tiles: Split into two sectors with different actions

Spaceships: Wooden ships (multi-colored and uniform in shape, with optional unique promo ships)

Crew Deck: The deck from which players draw cards

How To Setup Wild Space

To set up Wild Space, each player starts by being dealt a captain card, which defines their species and occupation. Each player receives a starting hand of three cards and places one of their five spaceships on one of the five available Planet tiles. The game begins with only four sectors on the initial two planets available for action.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Turn Structure: Players decide to either fly to a new planet or explore a previously visited one.

Landing Zone Actions: Take actions listed at the bottom of the planet tile, such as drawing cards or playing cards to the Crew, often with conditional requirements.

Exploration Actions: Move the spaceship to the top of the planet tile to either draw three cards or play a card from the hand into the Crew.

Ability Circles: One-time bonus actions on crew cards that allow additional immediate actions if requirements are met.

Veteran Tracker: Track bonuses for playing Veteran cards, which can lead to additional card plays.

End-Game Scoring: Score points for sets of cards, completed missions, Robots, and Veteran bonuses. The player with the most points wins.

Player Experience

Wild Space is praised for its easy-to-learn rules and deep strategic gameplay. Players must efficiently use their limited actions to build a strong hand and play cards that trigger powerful combos. The game is relatively quick, lasting about 10 turns, but each turn can feel extensive due to the potential for multiple actions. It is a game that improves with repeated plays, as players master the art of combining card abilities.

Pros

Engaging Combo Mechanics: Allows players to chain multiple actions together.

Easy to Learn: Clear iconography and rules make it accessible to players of various ages.

High Replayability: Different card combinations and strategies offer a unique experience each game.

Excellent for Two Players: Minimal player interaction makes it a good option for two-player games.

Family-Friendly: Suitable for playing with kids due to its straightforward mechanics.

Cons

Limited Player Interaction: Some players may prefer more direct interaction with others.

Complexity in Depth: While the rules are simple, mastering the game’s strategies can take time.

Personal Thoughts on Wild Space

Wild Space is ideal for players who enjoy tactical card games with a focus on strategy and combo-building. It is a great option for families and casual gamers due to its ease of learning and engaging gameplay. However, players seeking high levels of player interaction might find it less appealing. Overall, Wild Space offers a satisfying experience for those who enjoy set collection and engine-building mechanics.

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