TDG: The Expanse

Athens and Sparta. The Triple Entente and the Triple Alliance. The United States and the Soviet Union. Earth and Mars... Whaaa? Cody takes a look at this area control game from WizKids based on the science-fiction TV show, and learns a thing or two about interplanetary manners in the process.
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[@cihansimsek3522]

It is good that they listened you and added protomolecule in game's expansion as you mentioned. :)

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I have yet to play the expans(ion).

[@HerooftheTable]

I really like this game and enjoy the show and books. Thanks for the review. FYI... Protogen is the corporation that is developing the protomolecule. It is a corporation that is pushing its influence around the solar system. I think it works as one of the factions in the game.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks. Yeah, I got that about the Protogen. I'll just go stand over in the corner. Call me when dinner's ready.

[@davedogge2280]

This video inspired me to search for a Starsky and Hutch TV show board game and I wasn't disappointed.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I was amazed and delighted to the find the Little House on the Prairie board game, so nothing surprises me anymore. :)

[@dmforsyth]

Thanks for the look at The Expanse. I absolutely love the show, and snapped the game up as soon as I saw it. But I'm not crazy about the game. You hit the nail on the head: it's a little too abstract. And as a full-on wargaming grognard, I found it a little too Euro. I'd like to see a little less point counting and a little more stuff blowing up. But I really appreciate your insights. (Oh, and I hate to be that guy, but you may be confusing Protogen and the Protomolecule. The Protomolecule is an alien material that is semi-autonomous, but Protogen is your classic evil corporation. They have the endless resources of Jules-Pierre Mao, bases everywhere with hundreds of scientists, and a sinister agenda. So it makes sense for Protogen to be a fourth faction. Sorry for the pedantry).

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks. Yes, I realized that Protogen dealio after I posted the review. Oh, well. Glad you enjoyed the review!

[@ToolsWithAdrius]

Love this game (and love the show!). Feels like a 4-player version of Twilight Struggle that plays briskly and enjoyably.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed.

[@LordBollocks]

I’ve added some spare ships from TI3 to replace the chits. I find it helps improve the theme a bit. Dreadnoughts replace the Martian battleships, cruisers replace the regular ships, a destroyer replaces the Rocinante and some fighters replace the scrap ships.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Minis make any game betters, for sure.

[@Kipel7]

Love this game!!!!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Kipel7 Fantastic!

[@misomiso8228]

How do you like this compared to GMT games? Lots of people compare it to Twilight Struggle but I don't quite understand how it works. Even if you don't think its thematic are the mechanics interesting?

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

GMT Games is a pretty broad category to compare it to. As far as TS goes, I can see how they compare in terms of area control, card play, and scoring, but TS is a tighter, grander game. And as much as I like The Expanse TV show, I love the TS Cold War theme.

[@steye3660]

Love the Expanse books, series and boardgame.. Thanks for doing a review! Only thing I'd add: this game is 'mean' in another way: all players have very limited resources, both in influence cubes and (more importantly) fleets. I can only think of one other game with that same feel: Innis. How long did your game take? The 60 minutes on the box seem.. optimistic. Anyway, keep up the good work!

[@chronixchaos7081]

Thanks Mr Murdoch. Another great review. I don't think that this game has a good enough thematic hook to differentiate it from similar card taking/cube placing games. I hope that's Clarence. Over. Roger!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Tell me, Chronix, do you like to watch old gladiator movies?

[@peytonrandolph4250]

Cody, I speak Jive.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Fantastic movie!

[@Tizniter]

Hahaha

[@bobriemersma]

It is more like Britain vs. the breakaway U.S. Get your memes straight dude.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

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