Disclaimer: Sent for review by Arcane Wonders
We had the chance to review Age of Wonders Planetfall and found it to be an exciting sci-fi adventure. The game is immersive for a card game, as you explore a new planet in each of the seven rounds of Age of Wonders Planetfall. Each round has cards with a different color palette that really make it feel like a different planet from the last one.
However, from round to round the gameplay stays pretty much the same. Consistency is good. The main part of the game is Exploration, which is done twice per round. While there are many actions that make gameplay sound more complex (fighting units, claiming landmarks, studying technology, searching for pickups and running Operations) they boil down to choosing a card you can afford. You pay strength or energy. Sometimes you have to meet a certain experience level as well. Pickup cards don’t have a cost but they help you refill stats so you can afford more in the future. The rounds go quick and you really only have fourteen choices to make by end-game so each card counts.
Each character starts out with an individually-set starting level of energy, strength, and experience which shift with cards you pay for and the rewards they reap. The whole game is a balancing act of spending, increasing your experience, and earning the most points by the end game.
There are a couple ways you can strategize. Most cards are simply those which will give you rewards when you collect them but the different types of cards can have special effects. Technology cards give you a special effect that up to round four are based on permanent effects and after round four are benefits for end game, giving you a chance to earn more points in the long run. Pairs of landmarks earn an additional reward. Pickup cards can gain reward as normal or be annexed (flipped) and each annexed card gives you Income at the beginning of a new round (usually some energy restored each round). This is helpful because energy runs out quickly as most cards require it as a cost. Instead of gaining a card you can also go in the Operations slot to the right of the board and gain strength or experience for Operations points. Using this strategy you can gain coveted experience which is required for some more top tiered cards as the rounds progress. You can also just go spending points like a madman and refilling your energy from rewards and Pickup cards but using some of the different card types to boost your stats can be more effective.
The different card types all serve a unique purpose but they don’t differ so much to make the rules difficult. The card collection is fun especially when you finally have enough experience, energy and/or strength to afford a card with a super nice reward.
Have we played any other titles by this publisher?: Yes. We are currently reviewing a few titles by this publisher which will be posted in the near future, Aquatica, Neotopia and Picture Perfect.
First impression: Initially I thought that this game was going to be a lot more complex than it was. It was surprisingly easy to learn and play. The sci-fi elements makes it seem heftier than it is. It was refreshing and fun and not hefty at all.
How often will this game return to the game table?: This would probably find our table once every few months. This is a game you’ll likely want to play twice in one sitting as the first go around always goes quicker than you’d think. We would be more likely to play this one with friends than family.
Language Barrier Playability: Not possible. Some of the text on the cards is important and it wouldn’t be ideal to translate.
Storage: Medium-sized box with decent storage. All components are organized and store well.
Artwork: Exceptional. I mentioned it before but when the round cards are revealed, the color scheme and overall design feel like looking at a new planet. The box cover art also stands out and looks impressive to bring to the table at game night.
Instruction Manual: I was a little nervous when reading the rulebook that there were a lot of elements to memorize but the gameplay went smoothly and wasn’t difficult. The cards clearly depict cost, effect and type that leave no questions. Reading the manual out loud feels a little funky because it uses symbols instead of words but this isn’t a bad thing. It all comes together when you start to play.
Who would we recommend this game most for?: Any skill level. Sci-fi fans. Anyone who loves chasing the most points in a game.
Favorite moment while playing: Pato kept focusing on annexed cards and would refill his energy each round like a boss. I had more of a brute approach to gaining experience and trying to earn points with advanced cards. It was fun competing with the husband to see whose strategy could win.
Sushiball Games 