Game: Eclipse
Designer: Touko Tahkokallio
Publisher: Asmodee & Lautapelit.fi
# of Players: 2-6
Approx. Running Time: 30-45 minutes / player
Style: Science Fiction 4X Civilization
Mechanics: Area Control, Area Movement, Dice Rolling, Modular Board, Tile Placement, Variable Player Powers
Publisher Description: The galaxy has been a peaceful place for many years. After the ruthless Terran–Hegemony War (30.027–33.364), much effort has been employed by all major spacefaring species to prevent the terrifying events from repeating themselves. The Galactic Council was formed to enforce precious peace, and it has taken many courageous efforts to prevent the escalation of malicious acts. Nevertheless, tension and discord are growing among the seven major species and in the Council itself. Old alliances are shattering, and hasty diplomatic treaties are made in secrecy. A confrontation of the superpowers seems inevitable – only the outcome of the galactic conflict remains to be seen. Which faction will emerge victorious and lead the galaxy under its rule?
A game of Eclipse places you in control of a vast interstellar civilization, competing for success with its rivals. You will explore new star systems, research technologies, and build spaceships to wage war with. There are many potential paths to victory, so you need to plan your strategy according to the strengths and weaknesses of your species, while paying attention to the other civilizations’ endeavors.
The shadows of the great civilizations are about to eclipse the galaxy. Lead your people to victory!
Scott’s Thoughts: Eclipse in large part is my epitome of what board gaming should be. There is a lot going on, both on the surface and under the hood, but at any given point in time it distills your choices down to a manageable number of options to make it much more approachable. There are a large number of potential winning strategies, and every game feels unique due to it’s composition of space tiles and research options. A decision someone else makes can force your strategy to turn on a dime, and it builds great tension, not only through player interaction but also through how it naturally limits how much you can do in a given turn. The strategies on your ship composition alone and how it compares to the opponents’ makes the game a must-try for any Science Fiction fan. It’s the only game I can say I am willing to break out every time it’s asked for, and I can’t wait to share Eclipse with you.
Prize: Assuming proper funding is attained, if you are the winner of Eclipse, or come in second to Scott, you will walk away with your own sealed copy of Eclipse ($100 MSRP)!
BGG Entry: Eclipse
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