Publisher: IV Games
Player Count: 1-5 Players
Solo mode: Yes
Game Length: 60-120 Minutes
Complexity 2.5/5
Players who have taken on the role as a mercenary in the distant future, fulfilling dangerous shipping contracts, making shaking alliances and seeking personal glory know the 2020 hit, Moonrakers is one of the most unique and interactive gaming experiences available. In this semi-cooperative, deck-building, negotiation game players will work to ultimately sit at the helm of the space-age shipping rebellion known as Moonrakers. This highly fluid, interactive game will require players to apprehensively work together to cooperatively fulfill challenging contracts where the spoils and risk is all up for negotiation.
Moonrakers is a beautifully produced game with top-notch illustrations and deluxe components making it one of the most highly-sought after niche games since its release. That’s why it’s no surprise that Moonrakers is returning to Kickstarter with the Titan Campaign: A big box edition featuring the original Moonrakers game paired with a handful of expansions to enrich the entire experience.
As a huge fan of the original release, we’ve had the honor to preview some of the game’s new material and see what it adds to a game that we regularly play at our gaming nights.
DRIFTING TOGETHER
The Nomad expansion brings a new dynamic to the game’s contract cooperative, variations to the gameplay via global events as well as powerful, prototype ship parts.
The new Navigation Board completely overhauls the way contracts are revealed and chosen. Divided into 4 sectors and central base allows players to target contracts with specific strengths. Contracts cards are divided by color into these 4 spaces. Players begin at the base, but can only move adjacently through the 4 spaces. When landing on one of the spaces, 3 contracts are revealed. This seriously limits the options a player has and encourages playing to your deck’s strength. Additionally, players can only partner with players on the same or adjacent spaces pulling players over when agreeing to a contract. If one of the 3 contracts won’t work for one reason or another, a player may always pass by traveling back to base.
So I said the Navigation Board only had 4 sectors… but I lied. There is a 5th, secret quadrant called the Sorelia sector. This sector must be unlocked by completing an initial mission. Once unlocked, players will have access to Sorelia contracts as well as new Prototype Ship Parts.
Another BIGGIE in this expansion is the Event Cards. This new action happens before every player’s turn and infuses tons of variation into the game. Each Event brings the potential for change. Players might vote on policy to raise costs at the market, but also increase prestige on each contract. Certain cards introduce a draft where players have the chance to gain additional crew members or others force players to lose a ship part or send cards in your hand to an adjacent player. These are always a surprise and can be a huge benefit or pain depending on your position. The voting can be used strategically to put leverage on another player or gain yourself extra resources. All-in-all, a great addition to the game.
Nomad proves to be a serious game changer for Moonrakers fans. The Navigation Board and Events brings new life to the game and opens up a ton of new strategic options. In my limited plays, It also has the potential to help balance the game by limiting who can partner with who on certain contracts as well as providing some “catch-up” actions through the Event Cards. Moonrakers fans should seriously consider this expansion.
KICKING IT OFF
The new Titan Campaign hits Kickstarter on July 19th with 4 expansions and a Big Box Edition.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience Moonrakers, do yourself a favor and get in on this Kickstarter. I haven’t played anything like Moonrakers and it’s a usual suspect at our game nights. It does play better with a larger group, but it will, without a doubt, successfully bring the most introverted player out of their shell and to the negotiating table. The expansions are a bit of a luxury, but if you’re a Moonrakers fan… you’re going to want to grab these. They provide a ton of new strategic choices and deck-building options that are going to substantially extend the life of Moonrakers.
IV Games is currently one of my favorite game publishers. They always deliver a unique and rich experience without any regrets. This is a high endorsement for a high-end game from us at Unfiltered Gamer.
