What’s better than science fiction? Probably nothing. (Certainly not actual science…progress is too slow…where’s our damn jetpacks?)
So naturally, we love sci-fi board games. Here is our take of 4 of the best sci-fi board games:
#4 Star Wars: Rebellion
Credit: Fantasy Flight Games
Star Wars: Rebellion (by Fantasy Flight Games) is a behemoth of a game, both in terms of scope and physical size of the game. The game has hundreds of pieces and cards, so set up is no joke, and expect gameplay itself to take 4+ hours. (This is a full-day Saturday type of game.)
Star Wars: Rebellion (by Fantasy Flight Games) is a behemoth of a game, both in terms of scope and physical size of the game. The game has hundreds of pieces and cards, so set up is no joke, and expect gameplay itself to take 4+ hours. (This is a full-day Saturday type of game.)
Game length aside, Star Wars: Rebellion is insanely fun (whether you’re a fan of Star Wars, or just sci fi board games). What is amazing about this game (besides the production quality, which you can always count on from Fantasy Flight) is how different the different roles are. You play as either the Rebels or the Empire, and objectives and play style are vastly different between the two, and hence the immersion into the Star Wars universe is incredible. Whereas the Empire is mighty and combat driven, the rebels need to scrappy and stay under-the-radar. Despite the different feel of each side, the game nevertheless stays balanced throughout. And with c. 70 mission cards, there’s plenty of optionality and ways to play, so despite the time commitment, this game is very re-playable.
(BoardGameGeek average review / rating for Star Wars: Rebellion : 8.4/10)
#3 Anachrony
Set on the Earth in the late 26th century, Anachrony is a sci-fi, time-travel, post-apocalyptic board game by Mind Clash Games.
Credit: Mind Clash Games
Anachrony is a classic worker-placement style game, with some interesting sci-fi twists. In fact, it is the sci-fi world building that makes Anachrony truly amazing is the sci-fi world building behind the game (the story, the factions, the thoughtful history).
In Anachrony, you request resources first, and then have to go back in time to supply the resources in the future, or else risk creating a space-time anomaly (at the expense of your score).
The game is not overly complex, and a relatively quick play. A must play for fans of work placement and sci-fi board games.
(BoardGameGeek average review / rating for Anachrony: 8.1/10)
#2 Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game
Credit: Fantasy Flight Games
“Though in war, you can only get killed once. In politics it can happen over and over.” – President Roslin. Really politics AND board games.
Another board game in our list based on a classic sci-fi series (a tv show this time instead of a movie) and also another board game by Fantasy Flight Games (the masters of capturing the essence of great shows and movies in board game formats).
Battlestar Galactica is a hidden identity / betrayal game at its core. Players are assigned the roles of humans or cylons at the beginning of the game, and throughout the game, cylons are trying to sabotage the humans’ efforts to keep the Galactica humming. Eventually the cylons reveal themselves and launch an open assault on the Galactica. If the humans can get the Galactica to Kobol before the cylons destroy it, they win.
The game is relatively straightforward, and as with Star Wars, Fantasy Flight nails the art and immersion.
(BoardGameGeek average review / rating for Battlestar Galactica 7.7/10)
#1 Scythe
Scythe is alt-history sci-fi board game by Stonemaier Games, set in a 1920’s run rampant with heavily armored mechs. The name of game is simple: enlarge your territory, recruit, harvest resources, and finally, launch your mechs.
Credit: Stonemaier Games
Each faction has different abilities, and you start the game with a different secret objective, so the game stays interesting from play to play. Further, the art work and sci-fi world building is really incredible, creating one of the most immersive sci-fi board games on the list.
The game gives players a lot of optionality on where and how to invest, with the abilities to upgrade actions, build new structures, enlist recruits, and activate mechs.
(BoardGameGeek average review / rating for Scythe 8.3/10)
If you’re into sci-fi board games, be sure to check out SYNDICATE, a new board game (2019) by PDU Games, and be sure to check out the rest of our BLOG.