Overview
In a galaxy far far away……. Wait no that’s not it…
These are the voyages of the s………no, that’s not it either.
In space nobody can hear you scream. Sounds more appropriate for this game.
Another one of the Zombicide franchise from CMON, this time set in the far reaches of space and including a few new mechanics to boot.
Game play
You play as one of six characters (sometimes multiple depending on number of players) varying from hardened marines to support / civilian. You will be charged with completing a mission objective and together with your teammates set out to achieve this.
On the players turn you will have the choice to complete one of a few different actions. Movement (pretty much what is says on the tin). Search, allowing you to pick up items / gear (hoping for a bigger gun). Attack, either ranged or melee. Then specific objectives or room actions (Picking up an oxygen tank, if you don’t want to die in the vacuum of space – a new mechanic for this Zombicide). Reorganise your kit, and trade between players, because you’ll want the gun you squad mate has. Or do nothing and wait for the Xenos to come to you. Working with teammates and organising who goes first and does what, is crucial to winning (also combined with some good dice rolling).
Once the players have had the chance to get ready, then in come the Xenos hordes to decimate them. Some may already be on the board so these will activate, nice and easy move or attack, most only get one action but some cards may allow them to do more. Then it’s spawning time and this is where you reveal a spawn card for each spawn point and according to how much XP you have (yes that’s right you get experience in this for killing that horde of Xenos) you see what pops up. The higher your experience level the higher the danger threat and amount of Xenos coming your way.
Then its pass the first player token and get ready to rock and roll again.
There are a few little bits to mention, so as is with all the other Zombicide, when you kill a Xeno’s (zombie in other games / monster / orc etc) you get XP. As your XP gauge fills you’ll increase your danger level this in turn determines what monsters get spawned, but what it also does is give you extra abilities to help fight the ever-increasing horde. Also Oxygen, a new bit brought in for this game, without oxygen tanks you can’t go outside the facilities making it a wee bit tricky to escape or evade the enemies.
Conclusion
So time to wrap this up, a co-operative game where the board is against you, the miniatures are detailed and very cool to use (better if panted). The missions are varied but it’ll invariably come down to ‘kill them all’ and run. I would say well worth a play, however, lacks some depth and true replay ability compared to the likes of Nemesis. Although though having said that it is a lighter version of that and maybe easier to get to the table and suitable as an entry into that type of game. All in all, good fun and one to keep you occupied. Plus, bonus of having miniatures to paint if that’s your thing.
Overall Score: 85 / 100
Artwork: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Replayability: 4/5
Player interaction: 5/5
Component Quality: 5/5
You Might Like:
Quality miniatures,
Good cooperative game
Easy to learn
Might Not Like:
Set up time can take a while,
Repacking the minis is not fun,
Only 11 missions to complete
