Space Explorers

I recently picked up "Space Explorers" and I have to say, it's quickly become a favorite. It's one of those games that hits that sweet spot of being simple to explain, quick to set up, and yet deep enough to keep you engaged. The theme is spot-on, putting you in charge of a research hub during the Golden Age of space exploration. You're recruiting scientists, not with money, but with the promise of advancing their fields. As you build up your skills in each division, you can launch space projects for bonus points, and the game ends when someone recruits 12 scientists or all the projects are completed.

What I really like about this game is the way it handles resources. Instead of returning them to the supply after using them, you pass them to the player on your left. This creates a unique dynamic where hoarding resources doesn't really benefit you, but using them can lead to bursts of advancement. There's also a cool mechanic where the ability of the top card in each specialist stack is active, so adding a new specialist means getting a new ability but losing the old one. This forces you to make some tough choices about what's most important to you at any given time.

The game plays well with 2, easily scales up to 4, and there's even an online instruction book for solo play. The instruction manual is one of the best I've seen – short, clear, and well-illustrated. The artwork is fantastic too, with a retro-futuristic 1950s style that really captures the theme. While some of the cards are just cropped photos, it actually adds to the detail and creates a unique look. The components are high-quality and the game is well-balanced, with plenty of different strategies to explore.

I've seen some reviewers mention that the iconography could be clearer, but I didn't have any issues with it. Overall, this is a really fun and engaging game that I highly recommend. If you like engine-building games like "Splendor," then you'll definitely want to check this one out.