However, the game is asymmetric, meaning each nationality has different abilities that use the dice in different ways, for example one can only activate certain abilities by using even numbered dice, while others require odd dice. To do this, they roll dice and then use them to activate certain abilities. Players play as astronauts from different nations working together to keep the station powered, the life support on and the astronauts fed while dealing with disasters that befall the station. But don’t worry, you can save it in this co-operative dice-based board game. The International Space Station is in trouble. Buy now from Magic Madhouse or Thirsty Meeples.Once you’ve accomplished all 50 missions, count up how many attempts it took and calculate your final score (ours was 101 – let us know if you beat us!) Players are only allowed to reveal one card in their hand a round (unless the mission says a meteor shower has knocked out your radio!) and so the game becomes an exercise in working out what your team mates might have, then puzzling out which of your own cards will let you achieve your goal. While the rules of the game are simple to grasp, playing can be mind-bendingly challenging.

For example, each of the players has to win a trick containing a certain card, or one player can’t win any tricks at all. Each of these missions is chronicled in a ‘logbook’, featuring a short narrative paragraph, as well as giving a unique challenge to complete that round.

Players journey through the Solar System towards Planet 9 over 50 missions. The Crew is a co-operative, trick-taking card game with an added storytelling twist.

Large scale board games space warfare