Most Helpful Customer Reviews
|
|
41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exceptional board game, December 11, 2008
Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Battlestar Galactica (Toy)
Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game is one of the rare games that successfully marries theme (a licensed theme, no less) and gameplay.
Players each choose a character from the cast of the television series. Each player, on his or her turn:
1. Draws skill cards (which double as action cards),
2. Optionally moves to location on Galactica (or Colonial One, or, as a pilot, through the space around Galactica),
3. Activates a location or plays an action on a card (or, as a pilot in a Viper, moves again or fires at Cyclon raiders and basestars in order to protect the human fleet),
4. Draws and resolves a Crisis Card.
Most crisis cards depict a distressing event (with art and text from the television series), be it a food shortage or a lost scouting party, and offer a choice and/or a skill check to be made to minimize the damage to Galactica or her resources. Skill checks are resolved by players secretly contributing positive (matching color/type) or negative (incorrect color/type) skill cards. In addition, many of these crisis cards also activate enemy ships or move the Galactica closer to making its next jump.
But all that would just make for a typical cooperative game. Each player also receives a secret loyalty card that indicates whether they are a treacherous Cylon (skinjob) or a human. The humans attempt to survive the journey to Kobol (by making jumps that total at least eight units, plus one additional jump to end the game) whereas the Cylons do their best to sabatoge the human effort, either covertly (which involves a great deal of bluffing and secretly tipping the scales via secretly played cards) or overtly (by revealing themselves as Cylons and just hammering at the Galactica with all the tools a revealed Cylon has). Furthermore, halfway through the game another set of loyalty cards is dealt, such that there are a total of two Cyclon players (in a five player game; the number of Cylons and sympathizers varies based on the number of players). In this way, the game captures the feeling of paranoia that characterizes the source material.
With accusations flying about and choices constantly being made, BSG is a strong interactive game that really shines. Admittedly, it does run a little long (three to four hours for the first game and around half that once everyone knows how to play), but once the first few rounds have passed, the pace of the game really picks up, as do player involvement and suspicion. BSG is, without a doubt, the reviewer's favorite cooperative board game (compared to Shadows Over Camelot, Arkham Horror, Last Night on Earth, Pandemic, and A Touch of Evil, as well as faux-cooperative games such as Cutthroat Caverns) and, moreover, one of his favorite board games, period. BSG should be well received amongst fans of American-style board games as well as fans of Battlestar Galactica television series.
P.S.: Prospective owners need not worry about the game spoiling the series for those who haven't seen the show. The game makes only oblique references to the events of the series (and even those are limited to the first two seasons). In fact, the greatest spoilers may very well be the line of succession for each of the positions of Admiral (that rank being a minor spoiler in and of itself) and President.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
|
|
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BSG fans with lots of board game time rejoice!, January 23, 2009
Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Battlestar Galactica (Toy)
This is a serious board game that is one of the best uses of theme I've ever seen. The gameplay is deep and fun socially (as you may be trying to hide your allegiance) and gives the players a great sense of urgency and purpose. You see, most of the time the players are cooperating to accomplish a very challenging survival goal. Very impressive, overall.
There are two downsides that you should know about.
1. It's one of those "major commitment" games. Everyone needs to commit to 3-4 hours of play. Especially when there is someone playing for the first time.
2. Being the secret Cylon is not always as fun as being on the other side, especially when you are working together SO HARD to survive and then you suddenly switch to the other side.
In short
If you are a fan of the show and have a group of people that like playing intense, epic, and long board games, this is a perfect game.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great fun, and true to the show, December 8, 2008
Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars
This review is from: Battlestar Galactica (Toy)
This is a rare boardgame that's lots of fun and is also true to the show. Most movie/tv tie-ins are cheap attempts to cash in, but this really feels like playing a character on Battlestar Galactica.
It's mostly a cooperative game, but depending on how many people are playing, one or more players are secretly Cylons or Cylon sympathizers that are working against the human crew. This makes it fun to play again and again, because you never know who is going to be the Cylon next time.
It's very well made and will last for many years. The instructions are very clear with lots of examples that made it easy to learn, plus you can go to [...] or the publisher's website ([....]for tips and updates.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most Recent Customer Reviews
|
