Solar Storm Review - with Zee Garcia

[@MikeDV34]

This may be the case of someone who plays a LOT of games. Yes it definitely feels like Pandemic in some ways. But I've had a really good time playing both solo and 2-player. Plus the value is definitely there.

[@Wolforce]

Oof this did not feel like a 6. I wish these reviews were more focused on, like Zee said, this game in a bubble. Many people do not have a library of games. Also not mentioning the size or the price. I felt this is one of those that is "bigger on the inside" other than that, good review, thanks!

[@StevenStJohn-kj9eb]

It's his rating though. He's rating it based on his experience. But he did say if that doesn't bother you it's a solid game.

[@johnphillips4733]

I really like this game. It replaces Forbidden Island for us.

[@DrDribs]

The trick is that players give themselves spaceship crew names and addresses each other as such, followed with shouting over a red alert warning siren at max volume playing from a phone once the end card is reached.

[@wayner396]

Thanks for the great review zee. I like how you break down everything. Keep up the awesome work.

[@processseer6693]

Why compare it to pandemic when it is actually much, much closer to forbidden island? I am almost certain that was the inspiration. Mechanically it‘s also very close to tiny epic defenders.

[@barryallsworth4107]

Forbidden Island was the first comparison I make when playing a demo of this with the designer 2 years ago - he told me he hadn't ever played Forbidden Island

[@barryallsworth4107]

I get the comparisons but definitely think it does enough to differentiate itself, and I definitely prefer it to either Forbidden Island or Pandemic.

[@NathienSK]

Reminds me more of Tiny Epic Defenders than Pandemic. Still, looks interesting, would play.

[@alexthorpe2522]

Exactly what I was thinking with managing damage to each area

[@Michael.Virtus]

Absolutely, my first thought was Tiny Epic Defenders too. But when I mentioned it on BGG the designer replied that he never played Tiny Epic Defenders and his inspiration was indeed Pandemic. Which was a surprise for me. So apparently Zee is right.

[@kevinbhieey9188]

I backed this on Kickstarter BECAUSE it was basically Pandemic Lite. I wanted something that I could solo that felt like Pandemic but didn't require so much setup. I actually wish this was something Pandemic had gotten involved with and added to their line. Far better idea than that simplistic North America thing they came out with. I agree that it gets a little samey. I got different rooms in the Kickstarter, but it really needs way more of that to change it up. I also didn't find it hard to beat. Because I can tear up Pandemic, I got the basic strategy down early and beat it fairly easily on the first two difficulty levels. I haven't cranked up the difficulty yet - too many games! - but I feel two more levels will give me a quick challenging game that doesn't take 10 minutes to set up! (I think it's closer to a 7.5. If you don't know Pandemic, it's a good introduction to the mechanics of that game. If you do like Pandemic, just think of it as yet another spin-off.)

[@edwardrice9170]

I'm lucky gloomhaven was my first boardgame. Nothing feels like a long set up after this :P

[@WinterWizard7]

Definitely think the size of the box is very attractive. Perhaps you've played maybe a shelf full of games as apposed to thousands. Perhaps you've just played pandemic, and really like the idea of another game of that vibe, especially one that's so portable and neat. :) 🧙‍♂️

[@TheHexyBeast]

i did a solo review of this game a few days ago i am surprised how often i find myself playing this as a filler solo game

[@hz1249]

What's the title of the music at the end of this review? Thank you.

[@trepanator6]

I have not played Pandemic, nor any S-F themed boardgame. I just bought it and will see soon if it's better than Zee is saying.

[@PetronPendrake]

Never got a Pandemic vibe from this, more Forbidden Island. Shore up cards, gather cards to get a goal (divert power)... and a little Ticket to Ride with the cards: Get a face up card or from the deck of Mystery.

[@michaeljoyce7548]

Very much like the Forbidden series. I have all of them. This one is tough!! I found it harder than Island or Desert.

[@apollonia6656]

Reminds me of Red November !

[@ArsenicDrone]

I really like the size of that box. Does anyone know of another Pandemic clone in a compact box that they think is even better than this game?

[@rekasil]

I love Pandemic, with or w/o expansions, also Cthulhu and The Cure. My favourite saga. So, if I want something short, then Cure. Have Forbidden Island as well, but very rarely hits the table. So, Zee mentioned that there is nothing new. Do you have any recommendations for "something new"? Or is it still a good choice compared to the price?

[@mabos555]

Does is consider worker placement game?

[@Therisktaker3]

To me it looks like it takes bits a pieces from pandemic, forbidden island, and the captain is dead and in some ways streamlines them. I do agree with some commenters that pandemic at this point is very derivative of itself with 1000 and 1 varieties on the same game. One of the things you sort of have to take away from reviews like this is 1. How does the game play and 2. Does that appeal to you? No matter what rating it gets if it looks like a winner or dud it is in the eye of the beholder. With that being said no matter what Zees opinion is he does do a very good job of outlining the game and explaining his position of why. Whether he gives it a 6 and you think it is an 8 is up to you. I sort of like the way it looks and like the theme so I may give it a look myself. Thanks for the review.

[@traceyshenanigans]

no Zee...don' t fly into the sun...

[@allluckyseven]

Careful, Icarus...

[@SimonSedgwick]

Tiny Epic Defenders... in space.

[@slenkhar]

hmmm, I'd never considered that before. But should we really rate games or consider their worth by " how much new things they do?" The risk is this: "Oh, a deckbuilder? Dominion has done that, it's rated 8. That new game, that's just better than dominion but is just another deck builder? well, let's rate it a 7" The risk is, old staples are gonna stay above other games that take a fresher spin, or a different approach, or simply have tweaks, and I don't think that is fair. Each game, as mentionned, SHOULD be reviewed in a bubble. You can draw comparison, mention what connections you feel it has, but it should not impact the worth of a game by any means. A game review is not about "how does this compare to this and that" but "how does it play and how well is it made". I have never played Solar Storm, and watching the review I felt "oh nice, that's cool, I'd play that". Am I gonna go and buy it? Probably not, I have Forbidden Desert available via a friend that seems to scratch the same itch: short, pandemic like puzzle. BUT, would I seek it if I didn't have access to that other game? Yes, most probably

[@Iamwrongbut]

Says it’s “above average, but not great.” I feel like that should be higher than a 6/10. Otherwise he is saying that average is 5/10 or lower, which is pretty rough of a scale I’d say.

[@victorgonzalez2927]

Very much like Tiny Epic Defenders

[@andrewroy9528]

Looks extremely derivative of Forbidden Island to me too

[@matthius519]

seems good and its so cheap delxue for £24

[@searose6192]

Is Zee burning out on pandemic?

[@icewendigo2320]

Pandemic? I disagree, I dislike Pandemic (the theme is as boring as "washing the dishes: the board game") and like many games that some say are derivative a LOT more than pandemic and I'm glad these games got made, I think people are overblowing comparaisons and similarities to pandemic intead of playing a game for what it is. I think Pandemic Reign of Cthulhu is so different from Pandemic it should not even have the name Pandemic so to me Solar Storm is way too much of a stretch, otherwise all games could be said to be derivative. I understand not liking, but to me derivative is not a reason, something else must be off or a mismatch of preference(meh theme, themeless/generic, lenght, flow, etc).

[@Badman-so5kg]

Tny epic defender + expansion is alot better

[@supercommando440]

DSD6 vibe with fewer dice, more cards. Pass!