Dan Bollen
United States
New York
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Depth
Interaction
Components
Ease of Play
Luck
Overview
Replayability
Downtime
Scaling
Note: This is not a Rules explanation or a post about how my experiences with this game have been good/bad/crazy. This is a look at some of the characteristics of games that I find important to know before purchasing. Thank you.
Galaxy Trucker
Overview
Galaxy Trucker is split into 3 Rounds with two distinct parts of each Round: Building your Spaceship and launching it to the far reaches of the galaxy. Each round, your ships become bigger and more powerful, and the journeys they must undergo become more and more dangerous. Each round a timer is started and players begin adding pieces to their ship. This is in real-time, with players using one hand to grab face-down tiles and look at them. Players then decide to add the tiles to their ship or put them back face-up for other players to take. Once a decision has been made, the player may take another tile and do the same thing. Players continue adding parts to their ships until they can't any longer (lack of legal connecting places, lack of space to place parts) the timer runs out, or they are satisfied with their ship construction. Players that build they ship faster are rewarded, so speed and efficiency are important. Then, the players begin to turn over cards that represent encounters their ships must face. These can be meteor swarms, slavers, planets, open space, etc. The players see if their ships stand up to the dangers of the galaxy. Once all cards have been resolved, players earn money (most money wins) based on how well the ships performed. This is repeated until finally money is counted and the player with the most wins.
Length: 45-90 Minutes
Players: 2-4
Components
Galaxy Trucker's components are very nice. The thickness and durability of all the boards and tiles is impressive. The ships, crew, and aliens are a sort of plastic which is quite durable and easy on the eyes. The cards, however, could be better, as they seem to bend easily (though they won't be handled all too often). There are two six-sided dice which are of average quality. The money is cardboard tiles (of good quality), not paper.
Luck
Galaxy Trucker has fairly low amounts of luck. There are no "super good" or "super bad" tiles, and your decisions will determine whether or not they are of use to you. The events that come up can be seen earlier, and since they affect all players no one is singled out. Most die-roll determined events (cannon fire, meteors) can be fended off by a well-made ship. No complaints here.
Ease of Play
The Rule Book is written in the same vein as Dungeon Lords: it takes the whole group step-by-step through the process of playing, then introduces more advanced rules later on, allowing for a quick start. When explained in steps as instructed by the rule book, most players will catch on quickly, but this is definitely not a gateway game.
Scaling
There are few rule-based changes in gameplay based on player numbers in Galaxy Trucker. However, the feel of the game can change drastically. The more players there are, the more scarce resources seem and the game can change more (this is a good thing). With only two players, the game seems very predictable and not exciting.
Depth
Galaxy Trucker lacks many long-term decisions. 90% of the decisions take place during ship construction, which are quick, short-term. In my opinion, this is a strong point of the game. You need to make decisions quickly, but these decisions only impact the performance of this round, not the entire game. Therefore newbies and non-gamers can come back with relative ease from a mistake.
Downtime
Little to none. The first part of this game is in real-time, requiring all players to participate. The second part is going through the motions with the revealed encounters, all players also participating. Sometimes a decision may take half a minute or so, but no longer.
Interaction
A mixed bag. The players are really a group competing over shared resources. There is little in the form of direct conflict, except for forcing others to finish ships prematurely with use of the timer. It isn't multiplayer solitaire, but it's close.
Replayability
The game has quite a few encounter cards, and about only half will be used in a single game. In addition, the randomization of what tiles you will receive in ship-building will keep you on your toes. However, the game doesn't seem to get old easily.
Summary
Pros: Great components, little luck, easy to learn, ship building is intense, absent downtime, nice replayability
Cons: Little interaction, mediocre two players
My Thoughts: Galaxy Trucker is exciting because it involves racing to create something, then seeing how well it will perform. It has great theme and is nice to look at. One of my favorite games.
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Jake Waltier
United States
Seattle
Washington
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Nice review, but I was hoping for a review of DICE LORDS.
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Dan Bollen
United States
New York
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TwentySides wrote: Nice review, but I was hoping for a review of DICE LORDS.
Seriously? I'm sorry. I didn't even realize Dice Lords was a game.
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Jake Waltier
United States
Seattle
Washington
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DnDDmDb wrote: Seriously? I'm sorry. I didn't even realize Dice Lords was a game.
It's not, as far as I know, but it sounded like an awesome game. I'd totally buy something called DICE LORDS. I didn't realize what forum I was reading and got all excited. Good review though - I like the format.
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