Kepler-3042 Review - with Tom Vasel

[@hmgrraarrpffrzz9763]

It's one of those games that my partner and I don't play constantly, but that at some point we always get back to. It's just a chill low conflict game, where the different mission cards make you try different things and events change things as well at times, and you just sit there and ponder on what to do and groan when you realise you made a mistake and such.

[@frabac72]

Hi Tom, thanks for the nice review. Since I have seen you guys playing Pulsar 2849, how do the two compare to each other? From both I got the impression that both have limited interaction between the players, or do they? Tnanks

[@aloharay]

I own the Renegade Games versioi and prefer its artwor, but gameplay seems the same as you described here. One plus to tha game is that once you understand the actions and rules, any player's turn can be very quick, so we often get it played in just over an hour barring distractions. I am okay with it not doing more than it does, as adding more systems to the game would make it more complex for some players and take longer to play. An expansion that adds more would be a good thing for players who wish for more to do.

[@dragon0085]

This was a more of a how to play, I was looking for if the game is any good and what works/doesnt work.

[@jimsmith7445]

Tom... love this game! Just started playing "Tiny Epic Galaxy" and the expansion... and am going to buy "Xia" next... is the game out yet? How much do you think the game will cost?

[@Syncopator]

I've been looking for a good "exploration in space" game for some time. It doesn't have to be "hard science" but I'd prefer it wasn't based on space warfare. This fits that bill, but I agree, looks a bit weak in the progression dept-- I really like engine building mechanics where your abilities ramp up over the course of the game, and I'm not seeing it here so much-- though maybe in the tech track? I do like the sparseness of the galaxy map, these space maps where every hex is a planet don't seem very realistic. But I would think there should be more reward for going out on a limb on the far side of the galaxy than appears to be here, otherwise, what's the point? So I'm not sure about this one-- I really want to find a game that's in this general direction, but I can't say I'm wowwed by it yet...

[@Syncopator]

@stenobro Thanks, I'll check it out.

[@szajko4360]

Tom, you should check out Solarius Mission if you have a chance. Similar concept, much better execution IMHO.

[@NickDavies75]

Szajko though maybe give Jason the rule book to decode first...

[@Syncopator]

Looks interesting, but the rating from 60-150mins (where I presume, the 150mins is at 4-players), makes it too long for my group...