Introduction
As a family, we enjoy games that are easy to learn but still give you something to think about. Gravwell: Escape from the 9th Dimension is a game that certainly offers something different. This has been part of collection for years and is a great game to break out when we want something different yet not too complicated. Players find themselves trapped in a strange dimension after travelling through a black hole and must race their spaceship towards the Warp Gate before their opponents.
What makes Gravwell different from a traditional racing game is the way the spaceships move. Rather than simply choosing which direction you want to travel, your spaceship is pulled towards the nearest spaceship or derelict. This can mean that a move you thought would take you closer to the Warp Gate can actually send you backwards.
Unboxing
Gravwell comes in a medium-sized box with artwork that fits the science-fiction theme well. There are not a huge number of components, which makes the game feel quite straightforward when you first open the box.
Inside the box are the game board, four coloured spaceship pieces, two derelict ships, four Emergency Stop cards, 26 Fuel Cards and the round-tracking pawn. The spaceship pieces are simple but work well on the board, while the Fuel Cards are clearly laid out and easy to understand – however the stands the ships are on are fragile, we have broken two!
The relatively small number of components also means that packing the game away is quick, although the cards and pieces do need to be kept organised.
Set up
Setup is reasonably straightforward and only takes a few minutes. The two derelict ships are placed on the marked spaces on the board, each player chooses a spaceship and takes the matching Emergency Stop card.
The Fuel Cards are then shuffled and used to create the card stacks for the first round. Each player eventually drafts six cards, which will form their hand for the round.
Once you understand how the card drafting works, setup becomes much quicker and the game can be ready to play within a few minutes.
Game play
Gameplay in Gravwell is where the game really stands out. The aim is simple: be the first player to reach or pass the Warp Gate at the end of the board. The challenge is working out how to get there when you do not have complete control over the direction your spaceship will travel.
Each player has six Fuel Cards in their hand and chooses one to play during each movement phase. The cards have different numbers and are played in alphabetical order based on the letter at the start of the element's name.
The interesting part is that your spaceship normally moves towards the nearest spaceship. This means that the other players are constantly affecting your movement. You may be trying to move forward, only for another player to move closer to you before your card is resolved, changing the direction in which you travel.
There are also Repulsor cards that allow you to move away from the nearest spaceship and Tractor Beam cards that move the other spaceships towards you. These cards add another level of tactics and can completely change the position of the players on the board.
I particularly enjoy that you cannot simply plan your whole route at the beginning of the round. You have to watch what the other players are doing and try to predict where they will be when your card is played. This can lead to some great moments when a move you thought was going to help you suddenly works against you.
The Emergency Stop card is another useful part of the game. Each player can use it once during a round to cancel the movement from one of their cards. Deciding when to use it can be difficult, as using it too early may leave you wishing you had saved it for a later move.
I also like that the player who is behind gets an advantage when drafting cards in later rounds, as the player furthest from the Warp Gate gets to draft first. This gives players who are struggling a chance to improve their position rather than simply allowing the player in front to run away with the game.
Suitability
Gravwell is well suited to players who enjoy light strategy games with plenty of player interaction. The rules are relatively easy to learn, but understanding how to use the movement system takes a little more time.
It works particularly well with three or four players, as having more spaceships on the board creates more opportunities for the gravity system to affect your movement. The game can be played with two players, although there is less happening on the board and some of the interaction is reduced.
The game is also a good option for families with older children who are comfortable with planning ahead and dealing with situations where their plans do not always work out.
Final Thoughts
Gravwell: Escape from the 9th Dimension is a game that takes a relatively simple idea and turns it into something surprisingly tactical. The unusual movement system means that every turn requires you to consider not only where you are, but also where the other spaceships are likely to be when your card is played.
There is certainly some luck involved, particularly when drafting your Fuel Cards, but I think this works well with the tactical elements of the game. You cannot control everything that happens, but good card choices and careful timing can make a big difference.
We enjoyed Gravwell because it feels different from many of the other racing games we have played. The fact that you can plan a move carefully and then end up travelling in completely the wrong direction can be frustrating, but it can also create some of the funniest moments around the table.
Overall, Gravwell is a quick and unusual game that is easy to learn but takes time to master. If you enjoy games with player interaction, a little bit of luck and plenty of opportunities to mess with your opponents' plans, Gravwell is definitely worth considering.
Scores:
Overall 85 / 100
artwork 4 / 5
complexity 3/5
replay ability, 4 / 5
player interaction 4 / 5
component quality 2 / 5
