Among the Stars
2-4
10+
60
Among the Stars takes place in a war-ravaged galaxy where the warring alien races have declared peace in the wake of a threat with the potential to destroy them all. An Alliance is established to build space stations throughout the galaxy in order to promote trade among the races, strengthen diplomatic relations, and defend against this impending threat. Each player takes the role of one of those races trying to build the greatest space station. Through card drafting, the players select locations, and use these to build their station, scoring victory points based on the placement. The construction lasts four years, and alien race with the most points at the end wins.
User Reviews (4)
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Or maybe it should be: “Is there enough space on your table?”
Among the Stars is similar to the 7 Wonders on basic level, that it is card drafting game and thats about it. However the feel of 7 Wonders is so close that if you liked it you’ll like this one too.
Gameplay
Game is for 2-4 players and with some alterations can be played with 5 players, however game time will be reduced this way (I will post the variant to Tips section).
Every player starts with 6 cards and Main Reactor with two power cubes and 10 credits.
Among the Stars uses card rotating system. You pass cards after your turn to player next of you, direction depends on the year you’re playing (or corresponding galactic time unit of your preference). Game mechanic is pretty simple, you play card, reveal it and pay the cost of it, then pass your cards to next player. Year ends after all 6 cards have been played.
There isn’t other resources than credits and power cubes, and you get more credits at beginning of each year. What makes the game interesting is the cubes. Some locations require them to be built and using the cubes is limited to two adjacent locations away, which forces you to plan how to build your station. You can get more of power stations, but it might mean that you don’t get to build the location you want after all.
Now he said adjacent location. What does that mean?
Remember when I asked is your table big enough? Good, I forgot it too… When you place a new location to your space station, it has to be adjacent to existing location. This mechanic is wonderful and shape of cards compliment this perfectly. However in 4 player game the stations tend to become real behemoths and you find space running out. But hey, there is always the floor.
Learning curve
Among the Stars is pretty easy to learn, even more so than its most obvious competitor. Unlike in 7 Wonders, where there are numerous symbols (especially in the expansions) AoS doesn’t use symbols, but effect is reading on the card whether its the benefits or limitations.
Of course this requires that you’re able to read the text, its not for the youngest players out there (also if you’re from country in which English is not the native language, you’ll need to push the age limit up).
Components
Cards are visually beautiful and you feel like its actually a proper space station with alien influence on it. Cards are clear and easy to read and they have updated the scoreboard to better form compared to original release, making it easy to keep track on. Credits that game comes with are bit boring looking, but they serve their purpose. Besides I rather admire how marvelous my space station is looking than my soddy pile of credits.
Conclusion
This game is sufficiently different from 7 Wonders to own them both, especially if you like space theme. There is no warfare, so nobody is left their feelings hurt (those sore losers). Art is beautiful and game relatively fast. This is a game that is fun for whole family with great replay value since its modular and your station never looks the same. Unlike in 7 Wonders it is not always so clear what you want, usually you’re torn between 2+ choice because you know you won’t get the chance to build the other choice. This is great game that I can suggest to anybody from family to power gamer.
Fun is guaranteed, unless you’re incapable to have fun…
This is an excellent game, great for anyone. Lots of strategic depth, deciding when you will turn cards in for money, which you will have to do! There are lots of different options and paths to victory. Plenty of races and objectives give endless replay on a board you make yourself. Plenty of available expansions mean there are countless directions to go in. You can focus on one area to get massive points in one area, or spread things out, to get some points in lots of different areas. The only downside, as with any tile laying game, is lots of space is needed for this game. My station was getting very close to encroaching on my neighbor’s by the last round. Also, while the drafting mechanism means that someone can mess with you by taking a card that would benefit you, there is little interaction. Maybe the expansions bring in some, but with the cards I played with, we were three players building our own stations hoping to come out with the most points at the end of the game.
Overall, I would highly recommend this game for anyone. As my only tile laying game up to this point that I can recall are Carcassonne and Isle of Skye, this is a nice next level version, with it mattering even more where in your setup each tile goes, with the interactions between tiles, even 2 spaces away, matter with regards to how many points they will score you, weather its immediate or at the end of the game.
Among the Stars has you competing to create the best space station. Spend your money and energy wisely and choose the components that are right for you on your way to achieve victory. The rules are straightforward but still complex to allow for person strategies, the artwork is more than appealing and helps to get you into the setting, and the game play is fun and still competitive. There are extra rules that you can tack on to add some replay value and replayability such as the conflict cards which allow for a momentary direct competitive interaction between two players. Best with three to four players but still fun with just two. Plus one of the expansions allows for 6 players!
I have been wanting this game for a long time. I finally bought it. I was out with my friend and said ‘I’m going to buy this!’ and I did. It was bought after standing in line to buy it. I am glad I did.
I opened the box. CARDS! Big stacks of cards. There are so many cards and you feel like you are building a big space station with cards. The game was slow at first, but then the cards really began to be played! There are aliens you choose to be which let you play differently. The cards and alien people let you build a different card station every time!
Should you buy this! YES!
If you like Seven Wonders this is that game in space!!!!11