Classic Space Empire Games

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

Recommend

I've been a science-fiction fan since aged 13, and a wargamer from the age of 18. I'm now 52. I like a lot of different types of games, but amongst my favourite type is the space empire game.

There have been very many space empire games, but how do they rate in terms of popularity?

To qualify, the game must be a strategic empire building / conquest game.

I'd like to see a space empire game that uses the card-driven approach of wargames such as We The People, combined with the area movement of wargames such as Storm Over Arnhem and the fog of war created by block games such as Hammer of the Scots.

Your Tags:	Add tags Tags (separate by space):
Popular Tags:	sci-fi [+] empires [+] SF [+] [View All]

Edited Thu Dec 29, 2011 12:57 am
Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:58 pm

1. Board Game: Eclipse [Average Rating:8.46 Overall Rank:7]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

This hybrid Euro Ameritrash game looks awesome...ordered but not yet received. From what I've read so far I'm anticipating that this is...the ONE (at least, for me).

0 comments

Edited Mon Dec 26, 2011 10:52 am
Posted Mon Dec 26, 2011 10:26 am

2. Board Game: Race for the Galaxy [Average Rating:7.88 Overall Rank:13]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

I've got this one and enjoy it alot...waiting for the alien expansion

0 comments

Posted Mon Dec 26, 2011 10:33 am

3. Board Game: Twilight Imperium (third edition) [Average Rating:7.82 Overall Rank:26]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

The latest version of Twilight Imperium, with mighty box and great miniatures. I've got it, but haven't yet played it. I must play this soon!

9 comments [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:03 am

Andrew Jaster

(Andrew Jaster)

Canada
Aldergrove
BC

Same here. All those pieces just seem to scare everyone away when I bring this one out to the table. soblue

Posted Tue Feb 14, 2006 1:26 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Show 4 more comments...

Nate Merchant

(Natus)

United States
New York
New York

David, I would also advise caution. If your buddies are largely uncrtitical, just into having a marathon space-brawl, and don't mind sifting through the many layers of the game, go for it.

I would compare TI3 to a very flashy, fun sci-fi movie with tons of f-x but not a lot of plot or good writing. We have yet to see the next great space empire game.

Posted Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:39 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Lance Harrop

(Leifr)

United States
Manassas
Virginia

I like this game a lot. I also tweak it alot. The list of variants I can and do play with is a bit frightening.

So basically I have to agree with Nate that this game is not quite the classic it could be.

Posted Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:02 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Michael Buccheri

(malloc)

United States
Glen Arm
Maryland

Sweet Holy Moses, Fruit F*cker Prime!

Natus wrote:

Nate... a few years on from your post but I think Ti3 with the expansion is one of the best space empire games in print (2008). It is certainly not about space combat, and there are plenty of different approaches one can take to winning the game.

Great Game!

-M

Posted Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:44 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

I've played this one a few times now...It's a good game but just a little too lengthy for my taste these days.

Posted Mon Dec 26, 2011 10:38 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

4. Board Game: StarCraft: The Board Game [Average Rating:7.37 Overall Rank:150]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

I was a great fan of the original Starcraft computer game. The latest version looks amazing.

The board game has the usual high quality components from Fantasy Flight Games. I've played a couple of games and I've enjoyed it. A good conversion of a RTS computer game.

0 comments

Posted Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:28 am

5. Board Game: Ascending Empires [Average Rating:7.48 Overall Rank:271]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

Don't own it, and haven't played it.

0 comments

Posted Thu Dec 29, 2011 12:59 am

6. Board Game: Cosmic Encounter [Average Rating:6.99 Overall Rank:361]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

Somewhat abstract, but still a classic. Some people seem to hate it, but I enjoy it. I have the WEG/GW version, and the Hasbro version (by far the best looking version to date). I love the alien power cards.

2 comments [Hide]

Edited Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:30 am
Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:03 am

John McCartney

(claymore)

Australia
Wheelers Hill
Victoria

I have the "Eon" edition with all the expansions except for #4 Flares

(anyone have a spare lying around?

). First played this at school about 25 years ago. Have been trying to get my kids (13, 8, & 6) into it.

Posted Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:38 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Jeremy Fridy

(Freitag)

United States
Kent
Ohio

I have the Mayfair version with the expansion. Then we switched the paper pieces out for glass beads and have enjoyed it greatly. An all time classic.

Posted Thu Jul 6, 2006 5:23 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

7. Board Game: Space Empires: 4X [Average Rating:7.59 Overall Rank:434]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

I've pre-ordered this one from GMT Games
2011 update - got it now, but haven't yet played it.

0 comments

Edited Mon Dec 26, 2011 10:49 am
Posted Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:05 am

8. Board Game: Galactic Emperor [Average Rating:6.78 Overall Rank:670]

A. B. West

(adamw)

United States
Beech Grove
Indiana

Pimping my own Indie game which I believe fits the criteria of the list.

0 comments

Posted Sat May 5, 2007 5:25 pm

9. Board Game: Twilight Imperium [Average Rating:6.72 Overall Rank:1078]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

The original Twilight Imperium, which I used to own (along with expansions) and have played. Good, but not great (especially when you add in the expansions).

2 comments [Hide]

Edited Sat Oct 23, 2010 5:31 am
Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:03 am

Nate Merchant

(Natus)

United States
New York
New York

Good but not great. Exactly. However, I liked this a good deal more than its overweight younger brother. There was a purity of design and a simplicity than has gotten buried under too much gunk. Don't sell it yet!

Posted Wed Feb 15, 2006 12:41 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Was George Orwell an Optimist?

(Sphere)

Spain
Corvallis
Oregon

I see this one and the 3rd edition on the list, but not the 2nd. 2nd edition was a cleaned up version of the 1st, and might be the best of all.

Posted Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:58 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

10. Board Game: Twilight Imperium (second edition) [Average Rating:6.92 Overall Rank:1210]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

Owned it, and sold it, when TI3 came out

0 comments

Posted Thu Dec 29, 2011 1:02 am

11. Board Game: Imperium [Average Rating:6.76 Overall Rank:1268]

Brendan Mahony

(mahonyb)

Australia
Greenacres
South Australia

Imperium is the classic interstellar conquest game, with the graph connection board making for an interesting tactical situation.

7 comments [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:29 pm

(Mr.) Kim Beattie

(kimbo)

United States
Rocklin
California

Embrace your inner geek!

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

I prefer the ealier editions of this game. It's an asymmetrical situation and a lot of fun, even if it is a dice fest.

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:37 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Show 2 more comments...

Fraser

(Karlsen)

Australia
Melbourne

Yep that was 12 Power Grid maps back to back over two days. Worth doing, but possibly not in such a concentrated burst.

Ooh yes, now a little to the left - my nose is itchy. No, no the other left! Now what colour is 12 supporter badge going to be I wonder?

I've got the pictured version that I could dig up for a play if you like David. Played it a bit many years ago.

Posted Tue Feb 14, 2006 10:34 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Donald Wilbur III

(gilesclone)

United States
Sacramento
California

The original was a true classic (and badly unbalanced).
I've heard the newer rendition pales in comparison.

Posted Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:15 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Was George Orwell an Optimist?

(Sphere)

Spain
Corvallis
Oregon

Both GDW editions were very good; the 2nd just incorporated a bit of errata. It had an awesome campaign system, where the end of a war led to an inter-war period that set the stage for the next war.

Posted Thu Oct 11, 2007 7:02 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Eric Johnson

(ejohnson7)

United States
Rohnert Park
California

The uniquely interesting feature of this game is the fact that it simulates multiple conflicts over time. Empires lose the will to fight and sue for peace, and irresistable dreadnoughts rust into useless hulks during intervals of disuse. The Imperial player represents a sector governor subject to the whims of the Emperor, and must ask permission to construct the largest ships. Thus, though the Empire has the might to defeat the Earth player, its local representative is handicapped by the Emperor's wariness; his requests for men and materiel must be balanced against competing demands from the rest of the Empire. Good graphics quality, very evocative of the theme. Fairly clear rules, easy to learn. Recommended.

Posted Thu Mar 5, 2009 3:32 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

12. Board Game: Freedom in the Galaxy [Average Rating:6.62 Overall Rank:1353]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

As everyone knows, this was heavily influenced by the original Star Wars movie, and it's a real classic. There are strong strategic elements, with some elements of role-playing.

4 comments [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:55 am

Juan Luis Martinez

(Falcata)

Spain
Madrid
Unspecified

Really the most close to Star Wars like game you can find. love this game kiss

and also love Zina Adora and Thysa Kimbo.
Great game, but really difficult to the rebels.

Posted Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:06 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Bill Koens

(Xelvonar)

United States
Watsonville
California

marks the spot.

I'm in the process of designing a game aiming with this kind of flavor, but not quite as complicated. I've bogged down in writing text for a lot of cards, but I hope it will be fun.

Posted Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:16 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

JC Connors

(thalcos)

United States
Redmond
Washington

When I worked at Avalon Hill back in 1999, I was working on a new version of FitG to coincide with a PC game release. The boardgame was going to have more streamlined rules and faster play, but was sadly never completed. Still, it's always a game (and project) I have fond memories of and would love to finish one day!

Posted Wed Feb 15, 2006 5:09 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

John McCartney

(claymore)

Australia
Wheelers Hill
Victoria

First saw this played during the lunch break at High school 26 years ago. Got my own copy a while back but yet to sit down and play. My 8yo is a Star Wars fan so just maybe in a couple of years....

Posted Sun Mar 12, 2006 1:50 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

13. Board Game: Buck Rogers: Battle for the 25th Century Game [Average Rating:6.39 Overall Rank:1622]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

Fun miniatures game set in our solar system (in the 25th century). Beeglie Beeglie.

5 comments [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:55 am

Gary Webster

(gary_webster)

United States
Littleton
CO

Boogie down, Buck! Undoubtedly an attempt to play Risk in space, this is not a bad game at all, if you go in with the idea that it IS Risk-like. Decent planetary mechanics, and pretty fun overall. Unfortunately (I have a geeklist entry on this one somewhere!!), my dog literally ate most of one of the races back in the '90s. Right after we had to put him on medication, so he was actually doggie-deranged...

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:27 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Barry Kendall

(Barry Kendall)

United States
Lebanon
Pennsylvania

I always think of this one as "Axis & Allies in Space." As a war-within-a-solar-system game it had some good stuff in it. The mechanic of planets orbiting at different rates, generating windows of opportunity for both buildup and invasions, was a lot of fun.

If you mentally detach from the "Buck Rogers" idea and play it as a straight space game, it's worth playing (or hunting, if you don't have it).

Posted Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:09 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

I'd agree that this is "Axis & Allies" in space (but so is Throneworld).

The mechanics for movement of the planets are rather neat.

Posted Tue Feb 14, 2006 10:02 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Jeff Yeackle

(jyeackle)

United States
San Luis Obispo
California

Labor Day 2005. I went into storage to get my old GameMaster games and this one. Well, some flooding had occurred and Buck Rogers had gotten wet and crushed by the soggy games on top of it. I haven't had the heart to cut it open and see what I can salvage (I'm sure the plastic bits are fine) yet.

Posted Fri Feb 17, 2006 9:02 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

th th

(thrasher)

United States
Unspecified
Unspecified

Simply count this one in with the Gamemaster Series. Great game! If you like games lik Axis & Allies and Shogun of course!

Posted Fri Nov 21, 2008 1:56 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

14. Board Game: Risk: Star Wars; The Clone Wars Edition [Average Rating:6.15 Overall Rank:1890]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

Well, it had to happen didn't it? I own it, but haven't played it, and I gather it's pretty good.

6 comments [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:03 am

Peter Clarke

(Blackasp)

United Kingdom

I saw this in a shop for £10.Did not have the money at the time,so went back the next day.
Guess what,it had gone

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:25 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Barry Kendall

(Barry Kendall)

United States
Lebanon
Pennsylvania

Reportedly there will be a new version with bits from the original three movies out this year. AT-AT, anyone?

Posted Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:06 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Lance Harrop

(Leifr)

United States
Manassas
Virginia

I've played it. It is just okay. Not really a space empire game in that it portrays a civil war, not a war of imperial conquest.

You'll find, strangely, that either the Republic or the Separtists always seem to win. But for different groups, it's a different answer.

Does that mean the game is balanced? I don't know.

Posted Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:05 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Neil Denny

(pallidcreatures)

United Kingdom
Bath
North Somerset

This is currently available at Woolworths for only £9.99. There seem to be plenty of copies.

Posted Wed Apr 19, 2006 10:56 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Ken Bradford

(franklincobb)

United States
Fayetteville
Tennessee

I hate vanilla Risk, but was pleasantly surprised with this one. It plays quickly, cleanly, and somehow manages to evoke the theme of Star Wars with just a minimal rule set and Risk underneath. Well done.

In fact, since it plays so quickly and plays well with 2-4, it has replaced our default Risk game, should we ever choose to play. 2210 is "better", but longer by far.

Posted Wed Apr 19, 2006 12:36 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

Played it a couple of times now...it's ok

Posted Thu Dec 29, 2011 12:49 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

15. Board Game: Stellar Conquest [Average Rating:6.28 Overall Rank:1993]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

I've got this one, and played it quite a bit. Stellar Conquest is the "Conquistador" of space empire games. Very bland looking, but not a bad game.

5 comments [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:31 pm

Ken Waters

(D-Rider)

United States
Aloha
Oregon

And the boardgame that inspired the first classic space empire computer game, Reach for the Stars. And RFTS was a clear inspiration for Master of Orion.

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 2:37 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Brooks Rownd

(bkrownd)

United States
Hilo Town
Hawaii

RFTS...I want those 6 months of my life back!

Posted Tue Feb 14, 2006 3:59 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Tom Willcockson

(TomW731)

United States
Woodstock
Illinois

I think this could be a great game for someone like GMT to reissue with the board redone in 3d, nice counter-art and the bookeeping elements reduced & streamlined

Posted Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:27 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Jim Scheiderich

(LHIM)

United States
Liverpool
New York

To my recall this is the board game precursor to Masters of Orion. Been a while since I looked it over (alas, it is unplayed...).

A reprint might not be a bad idea - hey, you could NOT possibly screw it up as much as MOO3 was screwed up. arrrh

Posted Tue Jun 20, 2006 4:48 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Jeremy Fridy

(Freitag)

United States
Kent
Ohio

The new version of Reach for the Stars was actually kind of lame. I'm sticking to Galatic Civ, Starships Unlimited, and Master of Orion 1.

Posted Thu Jul 6, 2006 5:29 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

16. Board Game: Supernova [Average Rating:6.25 Overall Rank:2287]

Oliver Harrison

(Wrevilo)

Canada
Calgary
Alberta

I'm coming to this party late, but figured I would add my upcoming game Supernova. It's about exploring the galaxy, expanding your empire, taking over planets, and earning some money to upgrade your fleet. Oh yeah, and kicking your opponent's butt with cool space battles that use 3D space to help determine the outcome.

Oliver

0 comments

Posted Thu Jul 20, 2006 2:29 am

17. Board Game: Throneworld [Average Rating:6.74 Overall Rank:2377]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

Throneworld is the "Axis and Allies" of space empire games. A very well designed game, with a fair amount of chrome whilst remaining very playable.

1 comment [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:55 am

Was George Orwell an Optimist?

(Sphere)

Spain
Corvallis
Oregon

One of my favorites.

Posted Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:48 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

18. Board Game: Triplanetary [Average Rating:6.71 Overall Rank:2837]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

I haven't got it, nor have I have played it. I assumed (incorrectly, it seems) that it met the criteria for the list.

Based on the E. E. "Doc" Smith books.

6 comments [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:54 pm

(swandive78)

Although this is a good game, his would not fit your parameters for selection, as it is a game of individual spaceship combat within a single solar system. (For another similar game by the same designer, see "Mayday," also by GDW).

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:28 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

(Mr.) Kim Beattie

(kimbo)

United States
Rocklin
California

Embrace your inner geek!

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

The "Triplanetary" game I remember (apparently not listed in the BGG database) was more like Stellar Conquest (before that game was published) and dealt with exploration and exploitation of the galaxy. It was not limited to the Solar System as the GDW game is.

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:39 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Robert Taylor-Smith

(flapjackmachine)

Canada
High River
Alberta

This 'Triplanetary' is a classic. The first 'crayon' game I remember playing. But as commented above doesn't really fit the Space Empire theme of this list.

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:08 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

William Hostman

(aramis)

United States
Eagle River
Alaska

Gaming in Greater Anchorage area, Alaska since 1978. Looking for Indy-willing RPG players in Eagle River (or willing to drive to Eagle River). Geekmail me if interested.

Yes, this really is what I looked like when I uploaded that avatar. Not that it's quite current anymore.

Also,. the GDW one shown is NOT based upon Doc Smith's novel.

It is playable, it is kind of cool, but it was too fiddly for my tastes.

Posted Tue Jul 4, 2006 7:13 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Was George Orwell an Optimist?

(Sphere)

Spain
Corvallis
Oregon

My original GDW version came rolled up, both the map and some plastic that covered it. Later they put out a 2nd edition in a flat box, which I have now.

Very clever 2D vector movement, with gravity hexes around the planets. The base scenario, where you had to race around the solar systems, was my favorite solitaire game 30-odd years ago.

Posted Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:51 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Eric Johnson

(ejohnson7)

United States
Rohnert Park
California

An interesting game, primarily for the elegant simulation of vector movement. In my opinion, it's more fun to play "regatta" type scenarios than to play space combat scenarios. First one to orbit the Sun and all the planets and retun to Terra wins!

Posted Thu Mar 5, 2009 3:36 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

19. Board Game: WarpWar [Average Rating:6.17 Overall Rank:3058]

David Bohnenberger

(Dweeb)

United States
Swarthmore
Pennsylvania

A simple and clever interstellar space-war game. A true classic, IMO.

2 comments [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:19 am

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

Thanks, I was unaware of this one.

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:23 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Donald Wilbur III

(gilesclone)

United States
Sacramento
California

Fun for a few plays but eventually the "Rock, Paper, Scissors" combat system bogs the game down.

Posted Thu Apr 13, 2006 9:13 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

20. Board Game: Federation & Empire [Average Rating:6.08 Overall Rank:3013]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

This covers the Star Trek universe, and is a redevelopment of Federation Space. I owned and played the latter, but haven't tried this version.

3 comments [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:05 am

William Hostman

(aramis)

United States
Eagle River
Alaska

Gaming in Greater Anchorage area, Alaska since 1978. Looking for Indy-willing RPG players in Eagle River (or willing to drive to Eagle River). Geekmail me if interested.

Yes, this really is what I looked like when I uploaded that avatar. Not that it's quite current anymore.

F&E is actually not a redevelopment of Fed Space; the only concepts between the two are movement and map. The rest (And for Fed SPace, that's negligible, and F&E is huge), F&E is an order of magnitude more complex, or more.

Where Fed Space grand campaign could easily be played in a weekend, an F&E small single-border scenario can be a weekend; the grand campaign can take months.

Fed Space was by far the more playable game.

Posted Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:19 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

Not having played this F&E, I could only go by the Relationships table on the F&E game entry. The consensus appears to be that F&E is a redevelopment of Federation Space, but from your comments I'd agree it sounds like a pretty major redevelopment.

Posted Tue Feb 14, 2006 10:09 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

William Hostman

(aramis)

United States
Eagle River
Alaska

Gaming in Greater Anchorage area, Alaska since 1978. Looking for Indy-willing RPG players in Eagle River (or willing to drive to Eagle River). Geekmail me if interested.

Yes, this really is what I looked like when I uploaded that avatar. Not that it's quite current anymore.

Well, all the similarities come from covering the same source material: Star Fleet Battles.

Posted Tue Jul 4, 2006 7:16 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

21. Board Game: The Succession Wars [Average Rating:6.27 Overall Rank:3003]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

Thanks to Peter Schott for jogging my memory. This is a strategy game based on FASA's Battletech universe (not Mech Warrior, as I recalled).

I played this a couple of times long ago, and remember enjoying it.

1 comment [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:09 pm

Marcel van der pol

(marcelvdpol)

Netherlands
Leiden
Zuid-Holland

A real classic set in the FASA Mechwarrior universe. I have played it twice, but really as a game it is not that good. However, if you enjoy the Mechwarrior universe, you can use this game as a background for any of the Succession Wars settings as the map includes all the major areas and planets as well as scenarios for any of the major Successions Wars as well as the Clan Invasion.

Posted Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:13 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

22. Board Game: Outreach: The Conquest of the Galaxy, 3000AD [Average Rating:6.32 Overall Rank:3163]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

Part of the SPI trilogy. A little dry, but not bad.

5 comments [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:12 am

Rolling bad dice in wargames since 1977

(BradyLS)

United States
Austin
Texas

I always loved SPI's "hard science" covers.

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:17 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Robert Taylor-Smith

(flapjackmachine)

Canada
High River
Alberta

Even if mental power/psionics is the basis for movement

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:11 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Barry Kendall

(Barry Kendall)

United States
Lebanon
Pennsylvania

The map for this looked fabulous under blacklight.

Posted Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:11 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Christopher Lawrence

(CraftyShafty)

United States
Mos Angeles
California

And you gotta love a game that has a turn scale of "Generational" and map scale of 1 hex = 30,000 light years (give or take). surprise

Posted Sat May 6, 2006 5:24 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Francisco

(colmenarez)

Canada
Woodbridge
Ontario

Don't exaggerate, each hex is more like 1,200 light years give or take.

Posted Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:37 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

23. Board Game: Amoeba Wars [Average Rating:5.94 Overall Rank:3150]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

This is the classic (unofficial) "Risk" of space empire game. I've played it to death, and still quite enjoy it for a laugh.

1 comment [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:54 pm

Was George Orwell an Optimist?

(Sphere)

Spain
Corvallis
Oregon

I'd say it was more like Wizard's Quest than Risk, but regardless it was a very good beer & pretzels game that worked great with 2, 3, 4 or 6 players.

Posted Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:55 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

24. Board Game: Dark Nebula [Average Rating:6.29 Overall Rank:3280]

Kent Reuber

(kentreuber)

United States
San Mateo
California

A mini-game using the same system as Imperium. The boards are laid out in a tiled fashion resulting in different maps in each game. There is a "Dark Nebula" board which has to be explored using special ships. It is possible for alien artifacts to be discovered, which, when brought back to the home planet, allows you to build enhanced ships.

0 comments

Posted Thu Mar 6, 2008 5:54 pm

25. Board Game: The Sword and the Stars [Average Rating:6.33 Overall Rank:3803]

David Coutts

(dacoutts)

Australia
Melbourne
Victoria

Nice playable space empire game from SPI.

2 comments [Hide]

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:05 am

Michel Boucher

(alsandor)

Canada
Ottawa
Ontario

It's a more-or-less science-fiction version of Empires of the Middle Ages.

Posted Wed Feb 15, 2006 5:50 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Lance Harrop

(Leifr)

United States
Manassas
Virginia

This one I've got. Haven't played it for a while. I got it because it was an adaption of the Mideval Empires game which I very much liked.

Posted Fri Feb 17, 2006 10:07 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

12 comments [Hide]

Post Comment

Robert Wesley

(GROGnads)

Nepal
Aberdeen
Washington

so-o-o-o-o...just where is #25 upon the LIST here? Could that 'be' "Black Hole"?

Posted Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:11 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Show 7 more comments...

David Dockter

(Herr Dr)

United States

Minnesota

Interesting category of game; the space empire epics. I know that in my wargaming groups, we've been looking for the definitive space empire game for decades - and never found it. Played a TON of space empire games. Held out hope for TI, but it didn't cut it my groups. Been ALOT of these games, but none seem to get it right (in contrast to the great wargames or the great eurogames). Just check out the ratings of the 50 games on this list - a handful of 7's - and that is about it.

I agree that part of the problem is the book keeping and limited intel. Computer games in this genre have been MUCH better than the boardgames probably for this reason. If a boardgame ever cracks the code, they'll sell about a bazillion copies I would guess.

Edited Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:21 am
Posted Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:19 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Aaron T

(Time4Tiddy)

United States

Minnesota

I'm trying to recall a game that I played in the 80s (or possibly very early 90s). Each player started with a home world of a different color, and then moved out across the board by discovering and colonizing various systems, some of which provided benefits in battle. For example some systems had planets or space stations in them.

What I remember most about this game were the extremely striking NPC cards that represented the family of the player based on the color. They were sort of a cross between warlords and gods/goddesses. The game was a universe conquest but had a fantasy/space opera feel. I'm sorry I can't remember more specifics, but thought maybe someone on this forum would recall this game.

EDIT: After a little more thought - I remember a few more details. The king/emperor of the galaxy had died, leaving all his children fighting over the throne. All the NPCs were brothers and sisters, I recall at least one avatar was named Astrid (I thought she was hot) and there may have been a component of the game where you needed to find artifacts that gave you power. Your pieces were rings with tiny holes that you could attach "spaceships" to, which gave you movement points, or you could put an artifact in (looked like a scepter) that gave you bonus to attack.

Edited Sat Jul 17, 2010 7:38 pm
Posted Sat Jul 17, 2010 7:27 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Richard Smith

(Rick Smith)

Canada
Coquitlam
B.C.

> I'd like to see a space empire game that uses the card-driven
> approach ..., combined with the area movement ... and the
> fog of war created by block games ...

Me too! Lots of old classics should be blockified!
But why area movement? I prefer warp lines for going
between stars myself.

Posted Sat Aug 28, 2010 7:31 pm
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote

Amy S.

(steinelli)

Shadowlord!!! I looooved this game.

Posted Mon Sep 5, 2011 6:49 am
- Choose your Dice
  - d4
  - d6
  - d8
  - d10
  - d12
  - d20
  - d100
  - Help
  - Roll
  - Comment (Optional)
- Reply
- Quote