Stellar Horizons is a game, designed by an MIT PhD, that explores humanity’s expansion into interplanetary space, throughout our solar system. Players assume the role of the space director for one of seven factions competing against the other six (in most cases). All seven factions are always in the game and its scenarios, but yet, the game is solitaire friendly by allowing the player to take control of any or all of the factions, and including simplified rules for Nonplayer-controlled factions. The game begins in the year 2030, and proceeds through the next 160-ish years in annual turns, separated by a political-economic turn once each decade. With each faction having its own mix of ships, starting technologies, and unique advantages, there is much gameplay to explore.
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Stellar job, Paul! We got excited when this game was first released, but the nebulous rules complexity turned my potential opponents off. I do think the game is definitely worth exploring. I very much respect the design, it just doesn’t hit the table anymore.
Thanks for a thorough review. But I'll stick with my old copy of The Air-Eaters Strike Back! (1981). However, it needs its own second printing.
Thanks for the review. I've bought it recently but it hasn't yet hit the table so one of your usual great play demonstrations would be more than welcome. I too am space geek since Apollo program, I was too young for the Gemini… This game hit all the right spots for me.
Dear Oaken, if I buy this on your recommendation ill give you $50 to trim my counters…
Also talk about space geek…I got a "A" in astronomy in college and could have flunked the finals because I memorized the planetary symbols and wrote them down first for extra credit…
A playthrough would be helpful.
Thanks for the presentation, I've had the game for a year or so but it's not hit my table yet. I've actually added it to my War Room's 2023 Challenge to prod myself to actually get it played 😀
EDIT: I'd definitely love to see a further video from you on this game, really enjoy how approachable your vids make the games you play…