Introduction:
Space Base is a strategy game cantered around building your own engine. Triggering cards and their abilities to combo and be the first to 40 victory points. The base games cater for 2 to 5 players.
Gameplay Mechanics:
In the game, players are provided with a board featuring slots for twelve cards numbered from 1 to 12, each offering various special abilities. These cards range from granting income to providing unique actions. The objective is to strategically utilize these cards to accumulate wealth, income, and ultimately victory points.
Turn Structure:
During each turn, a player rolls two six-sided dice and selects one or two actions based on the outcome. Then the player can buy a card. Then, it is the next players turn to roll. This decision-making process is crucial for optimizing your progress in the game.
Resource Management:
As players accumulate income, they can purchase new cards to replace their existing ones. The game features three levels of cards, with higher levels offering greater benefits at a higher cost. However, players must manage their resources efficiently as they can only purchase one card per turn, and any remaining funds are forfeited.
Special Card Abilities:
Space Base introduces an intriguing mechanic where certain cards allow players to bend the rules of the game, providing strategic advantages. These cards add depth to gameplay as players compete to build the most effective engine while thwarting opponents' strategies.
Balanced Gameplay:
One notable aspect of Space Base is its balanced gameplay, offering a blend of strategic depth and accessibility. While luck plays a role in dice rolls, the game's mechanics allow players to mitigate unfavourable outcomes through card abilities and strategic decision-making.
Components and Theme:
In terms of components, Space Base features high-quality cards and dice, although improvements could be made to certain elements for enhanced durability and aesthetics. The game's artwork is visually appealing, although the space theme may feel somewhat detached from the gameplay mechanics.
Conclusion:
Overall, Space Base is a highly enjoyable game that strikes a balance between accessibility and strategic depth. What makes this game so satisfying and fun is the intricate engine-building aspect. During a player's turn, once they roll the dice, they can choose to activate 1 or 2 actions. In some cases, opting for 1 action might be more advantageous than 2. For example, if a player rolls a 3 and 4, they could activate both actions 3 and 4, each yielding 1 coin. However, combining these actions for a 7-action, or card 7, would grant 3 coins. This decision-making process adds depth to gameplay and encourages strategic thinking.
As players start buying new cards to replace the existing ones, they end up with more powerful cards. For instance, they might replace a card that grants 1 coin with a card offering 5 victory points or 10 coins. Additionally, some cards allow players to buy another card with the change leftover from purchasing. Once a new card is acquired, the old card is docked upside down on the top of the board, providing actions that can be activated on other players' turns. This highlights the importance of carefully selecting and placing cards on your board.
This constant evolution of your card selection and engine-building strategy adds depth and replayability to Space Base, keeping players engaged and eager to explore different tactics with each playthrough. With its dynamic gameplay and strategic depth, Space Base offers a rewarding gaming experience that leaves players eager to dive back in for more