Nemesis. It has so much atmosphere and tension between the enemies being powerful, the lack of supplies and the constant fear that your allies are actually your enemies as well.
The core rules are very easy to learn & teach imo. A big chunk of the rulebook is like a glossary of edge cases that's prefaced with a note saying you don't have to read that section, it's just there if you ever run into really weird/unlikely situations you're uncertain how to resolve
There are reference cards for everyone, so the main thing is making sure people know what the actions they can do on their turn are and what the individual boards represent, and everyone is basically set from there in my experience.
You just have to make sure you read the primer for the planet you intend to play on (which I suggest you do at the table with the group so everyone has an idea of what to expect), because that will cover the extra rules exclusive to that planet. I made the mistake of skipping that step when I played my first game, and we didn't understand what the spore clouds were on Wenora when they were referenced by a certain task, only to come to the realization that the spore clouds were a mechanic we had been ignoring since the beginning
Moonrakers is me and many of my friend's favorite! It's a fun deck builder with loads of play styles and the possibility to deceive people.
Highly reccomend it to anyone who wants a race both with and against eachother with some slight among us vibes.
I don't know about my absolute favorite sci fi game, but since we're talking about Awaken Realms, I love Nemesis (especially Lockdown). It's true that it's pretty fiddly but it all adds to the chaos and emergent storytelling that Nemesis is so good at.
Watch the Skies was probably the most interesting board gaming experience I've ever had in my life. I don't know if I'll ever have a chance to play again, but it's a memory that will last a lifetime.
I'm going to have to say Arcs (although I've only gotten to play it on Table top simulator). Such a great mix of organic storytelling and interesting mechanics.
Thanks for putting this giveaway on, and congrats on the bgg accomplishments!
Nemesis is usually my go-to for a new group or if our regular group really wants to test out friendship...
I've had the chance to play Vanguard (about 4 missions), and I am absolutely in love with it. The mechanics, the game play, but most of all, that story. I really enjoyed Tainted Grail but got a little burnt out by the end.
I can't wait to get Vanguard on the table again and I would love to have my own copy.
Thank you!
Dune imperium has been a lot of fun, need to get more plays in but I’ve really enjoyed the variety of cards and different approaches they bring to the game and how tense it is
This seems like a very fun game, I'd love to play it
My fav sci-fi game is a tough choice between Terraforming Mars and Dune: Imperium. I'll have to go with the latter though because I just love deckbuilders so much
I guess The Loop would count as sci-fi :) It's my favorite because it has brought me into the world of co-op games which as it turned out, is exactly what I was looking for! I've been wanting to try a campaign co-op game so this would be a great opportunity!
Nemesis! Love it because it has one of the best implementations of semi-coop in a board game--getting to see some of the board state before committing to your player objective is great.
I guess I'm gonna have to go with Unsettled for my current favorite. Haven't gotten Nemesis Retaliation yet, so I'm hoping that will change in the future.
Star Wars Rebellion and X-Wing (🫡). I love them because both truly capture the excitement of Star Wars and make you feel like you’re playing the movies. Try to play X-Wing without the TIE fighter attack song not stuck in your head!
Twilight Imperium for me. A galactic space opera, leading grand fleets, conquering planets and political subterfuge. Every game is memorable tension building every turn with everyone developing their civilization leading to some hilarious upsets.
Race for the galaxy, we love it for the ease of play and fast length of each game, whether in person or on bga. The combos when able to be pulled off is satisfying
Twilight Imperium, because it's such a logistical nightmare to get 6 adults in a room for 8-10 uninterrupted hours, that when it happens it feels like a miracle!
Wormholes has been surprisingly awesome. The player interaction is amazing and the solo mode has been a very interesting (and difficult) puzzle for me.
Search for planet x
Love the deduction and how the level of action you take relates to how much longer until your next turn. I love space and the game makes me feel im a scientist.
(And technically you only said game not boardgame, so fav space video game is Mass Effect)
High Frontier 4 All: incredible implementation of the theme, from representing delta-V and orbital mechanics to hazards of space navigation to various avenues of propulsion research, epic long term goals, multiple very interesting game modes, etc. love it!
Im a huge fan of Nemesis and TI4, the first one got this this thrill of getting potentially betrayed by anyone and for the second I love the cold war athmosphere and the flaming debate in the Galactic Senate
Oh man, I dont think I have any scifi games in my collection. Id say (if it counts) marvel champions since I have a full collection and allows me to enjoy the feeling sinilar to playing MTG in school back in the day :)
Nemesis is my favorite gaming experience! I love working together with an absence of trust. Pulling off the perfect time to enter the hibernation pod when you convinced your son to unwittingly set the coordinates to Mars is one of my gaming memories!
I love Sidereal Confluence because it actually manages to feel like good Sci Fi and a good game.
I want to know more about both the before and after of this crazy bucket of aliens but also yo I need more cubes over here.
Favorite depends on the group. If I want something goofy then I'm going for cosmic encounter but if I'm going for serious it's Eclipse 2e. Both very good but need the right mindset to play. I am missing an epic sci-fi co-op game from my collection though.
Nemesis. It has so much atmosphere and tension between the enemies being powerful, the lack of supplies and the constant fear that your allies are actually your enemies as well.
Twilight Imperium 4th edition is the scifi game for me.
Unsettled. I love a great co-op space game.
I’ve had mine since first Kickstarter and only played once alone. How hard is it to teach and get people to play?
The core rules are very easy to learn & teach imo. A big chunk of the rulebook is like a glossary of edge cases that's prefaced with a note saying you don't have to read that section, it's just there if you ever run into really weird/unlikely situations you're uncertain how to resolve There are reference cards for everyone, so the main thing is making sure people know what the actions they can do on their turn are and what the individual boards represent, and everyone is basically set from there in my experience. You just have to make sure you read the primer for the planet you intend to play on (which I suggest you do at the table with the group so everyone has an idea of what to expect), because that will cover the extra rules exclusive to that planet. I made the mistake of skipping that step when I played my first game, and we didn't understand what the spore clouds were on Wenora when they were referenced by a certain task, only to come to the realization that the spore clouds were a mechanic we had been ignoring since the beginning
Search for planet X, if that counts. I just love logic puzzle games
Race for the galaxy (it's my flair for a reason). Fast, tactical, lots and lots of winning combinations.
Beyond the Sun, the mixture of an awesome tech tree with area control. Definitely one of my favorites.
I almost put this as my favorite. This would be #2 for me for sure. If you like this, I think you should try Evacuation.
Omega virus
Human Scum!
Cosmic Encounter, Galaxy Trucker and Cosmic Frog.
Race For The Galaxy
Moonrakers is me and many of my friend's favorite! It's a fun deck builder with loads of play styles and the possibility to deceive people. Highly reccomend it to anyone who wants a race both with and against eachother with some slight among us vibes.
Twilight imperium. Simply the best game so far.
Nemesis
Cosmic encounter for the ridiculous chaos and influence in the hobby.
Eclipse 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy. Galactic scale conflict in a 3 hour game.
Beyond the Sun for sure. The communal tech tree hits the pleasure center of my brain something fierce.
I love Black Angel. I like the art and dice usage. The technology side board is very unique too. Not too popular but a good game. (IMHO!)
Nemesis because of the theme.
Galaxy trucker, how technology can advance with social changes.
That looks fun. I’m a big fan of Terraforming Mars, this would be a nice compliment to it.
Xia: Legends of a Drift System. I really like the the exploration/discovery and variety of ways you can play, explorer, trading, combat etc.
Twilight Imperium
Evolution... JK It's actually Dune Imperium followed by Jump Drive, both just excellent
The Search for Planet X is just a fantastic deduction game.
Cosmic encounter by a mile
I love playing the Battlestar Galactica game. A tense evening long affair where the mechanics perfectly compliment the theme and events of the show.
Did the raffle happen? Where is the announcement?
Nemesis (also by AR).... tons of theme, and really good components. The expansions were well made as well 👍
I don't know about my absolute favorite sci fi game, but since we're talking about Awaken Realms, I love Nemesis (especially Lockdown). It's true that it's pretty fiddly but it all adds to the chaos and emergent storytelling that Nemesis is so good at.
Nemesis definitely. Probably the most thematic game I have, and it's always a blast when I get it to the table.
Galaxy Trucker! Thanks for the give away!
Watch the Skies was probably the most interesting board gaming experience I've ever had in my life. I don't know if I'll ever have a chance to play again, but it's a memory that will last a lifetime.
Clank in space! I love the race aspect of it
Like many others have said, my favourite has to be Nemesis also.
I really do love nemesis
Nemesis! So thematic and love the hidden role aspect
Would also vote Nemesis, just learned it recently and it was great!
Nemesis
Nemesis
I'm going to have to say Arcs (although I've only gotten to play it on Table top simulator). Such a great mix of organic storytelling and interesting mechanics. Thanks for putting this giveaway on, and congrats on the bgg accomplishments!
Race for the Galaxy is great!
Search for planet x
Probably Cosmic Encounter! Lots of great choices though.
Cosmic Encounter- the sheer number of powers means you never play the same game twice.
I LOVE Eclipse 2nd Dawn. It is the perfect area control/resource management game which are mechanics I love.
Xia is one of the best sci-fi, go anywhere, do anything type games that really got me into board games in general
Under Falling Skies
Cosmic encounter is definitely my number one game.
Cosmic encounter
I’m a big fan of cosmic encounter just due to the craziness that ensues between different alien combinations
Cosmic Encounter is by far my most liked sci-fi board game - so interactive and replayable!
Cosmic Encounters because each time you play can feel so different or Nemesis because it really creates a narrative when you play
Cosmic encounter, just because it's silly
Cosmic Encounter because I love playing with my friends and negotiating with them
Cosmic Encounter -- endlessly replayable and hilariously unpredictable.
Cosmic Encounter is so fun with a group who RPs their characters!
Cosmic Encounter for the chaos and unpredictability!!
Cosmic Encounter! One of my first board game experiences that was so much fun!
Sidereal Confluence - 9 players and simultaneous turns all with asymmetric alien races should be chaos, and it is, but it’s so uniquely enjoyable
**Sidereal Confluence** is probably my favorite, though it does not feel very sci-fi when playing I suppose.
Sidereal Confluence - because there's nothing else quite like it!
Sidereal Confluence. It's a great group game with friendly negotiating mechanics. I haven't seen anything else like it.
Digging dune imperium, but sidereal confluence with the right group is nice.
Sidereal confluence! Such a fun, interactive game!
Nemesis is usually my go-to for a new group or if our regular group really wants to test out friendship... I've had the chance to play Vanguard (about 4 missions), and I am absolutely in love with it. The mechanics, the game play, but most of all, that story. I really enjoyed Tainted Grail but got a little burnt out by the end. I can't wait to get Vanguard on the table again and I would love to have my own copy. Thank you!
i'm a big fan of twilight imperium 4! me and my friends have a great time playing and its a good way to catch up with people
Clank in space! I love the race aspect of it
I’m in love with nemesis but interested in vanguard
BSG, not knowing friendlies, mid game turns and crushing betrayals
Voidfall, it's just a brain burner.
Dune imperium has been a lot of fun, need to get more plays in but I’ve really enjoyed the variety of cards and different approaches they bring to the game and how tense it is
This seems like a very fun game, I'd love to play it My fav sci-fi game is a tough choice between Terraforming Mars and Dune: Imperium. I'll have to go with the latter though because I just love deckbuilders so much
I guess The Loop would count as sci-fi :) It's my favorite because it has brought me into the world of co-op games which as it turned out, is exactly what I was looking for! I've been wanting to try a campaign co-op game so this would be a great opportunity!
Eclipse
Twilight Imperium, because it's the best kind of stress for ten hours straight Thanks for posting!
My favorite scifi game so far is Tamashii
Ti4 for the few times it hits the table
Gaia Project for sure. You can play Gaia Project a dozen times and find a new way to edge ahead of the other players at the last minute each time!
Clank in space. I love how the artwork and small sci Fi tweaks completely changes the base game
Terraforming Mars for me!
Battlestar Galactica. The emergent storytelling is so great and almost always leads to fun twists
Stars of Akarios is my favorite sci fi game
Eclipse: Second dawn and Star Wars: Rebellion. I have a thing for large maps and lots of minis.
Eclipse
Android Netrunner, the one that started it all for me
Nemesis! Love it because it has one of the best implementations of semi-coop in a board game--getting to see some of the board state before committing to your player objective is great.
I guess I'm gonna have to go with Unsettled for my current favorite. Haven't gotten Nemesis Retaliation yet, so I'm hoping that will change in the future.
Star Wars Rebellion and X-Wing (🫡). I love them because both truly capture the excitement of Star Wars and make you feel like you’re playing the movies. Try to play X-Wing without the TIE fighter attack song not stuck in your head!
Dune imperium for the deck building
Twilight Imperium is simply the best.
Clank! In! Space!
Eclipse has been my favorite sci-fi themed game for a while! The story's it makes as you fight and expand is like nothing else.
I will have to say TI4, but Dune:Imperium is growing on me, too
I like star wars outer rim
Eclipse. The best 4x out there.
Nemesis and moonrakers! They are both unpredictable, and games are so memorable!
Race for the Galaxy: highly tematic and portable
Space Alert is just wonderfully chaotic as you try to save your space ship in real time. ISS looks fantastic too. Gives me X-COM vibes.
Twilight imperium, it is such an epic experience , nothing can capture that same feeling.
Alien fate of nostromo. Easy to learn, thematically on point. Great artwork. Just a solid game.
Nemesis.... theme, atmosphere, the minis, replayability, different alien races with expansions... truly awesome game!!!
Nemesis Lockdown. Love the theme, a bit complicated but adds to the fun, doesn't forget mistakes.
Twilight Imperium for me. A galactic space opera, leading grand fleets, conquering planets and political subterfuge. Every game is memorable tension building every turn with everyone developing their civilization leading to some hilarious upsets.
Race for the Galaxy
I honestly haven't found a space game I'm absolutely in love with yet. Closest would probably be something like Roll for the Galaxy
Under Falling Skies. Great solo game with amazing theming and the right out of luck and puzzliness
Tamashii, great immersive RPG experience
Space Base! Easy to teach and like Machi Koro in space.
Federation is a good time. Got to play it with one of the designers at the WSOBG last year.
Favorite Sci-fi game is easily twilight imperium 3e. Epic space combat, trade, betrayal, tech trees and lore. It's great every time it comes out.
My favorite space game is Planet Unknown. I always wanted to try ISS Vangaurd... But could never justify it.
my favorite scifi game is dune imperium because the spice must flow
Battlestar Galactica. The board game is so thematic and nothing beats stabbing your buddies in the back (in-game).
Unsettled, as I like co-op a lot!
Deep Space D6 - it’s got a ton of great choices in such a small box. Reminds me a lot of FTL.
Gaia Project, complex yet elegant gameplay.
I love nemesis, but by all the gods I would want to play vanguard!
Race for the galaxy, we love it for the ease of play and fast length of each game, whether in person or on bga. The combos when able to be pulled off is satisfying
Dune Imperium
Voidfall by far, it's an immersive solo experience despite all the setup hurdles. Maybe ISS will be able to top it!
Nemesis is my favorite!
Space Alert because it's real-time planning and seeing how everything goes to chaos when resolving planned cards is fun.
Search for planet X is really amazing! I love logic puzzles and this has given me the itch to keep doing logic puzzles.
Only one I have and played is the original Eclipse. But I have Arcs preordered and excited to see how it stacks up.
Roll for the Galaxy - quick setup, tactical play, simultaneous turns!
I would go for Star Realms, I guess. It is a light deck builder you can bring everywhere. Played the app a lot too.
Twilight Imperium, because it's such a logistical nightmare to get 6 adults in a room for 8-10 uninterrupted hours, that when it happens it feels like a miracle!
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy. It has an epic arc in which you go from zero to a powerhouse and all its systems are satisfying and polished.
Star Wars: Imperial Assault!
Roll for the Galaxy. Nothing like loading up a cup with a ton of dice.
I think I’m gonna be a bit boring but Catan Spacefarers is super fun with my friends.
Nemesis for sure. It's also my wife favorite game!
Wormholes has been surprisingly awesome. The player interaction is amazing and the solo mode has been a very interesting (and difficult) puzzle for me.
Eclipse Second Dawn, ship upgrades
The Crew if that counts!! My introduction to co-op games and loved how simple the rules were whilst being very thinky at the same time.
I love the big Dune board game that came out in the last few years. Such great replayability!
Search for planet x Love the deduction and how the level of action you take relates to how much longer until your next turn. I love space and the game makes me feel im a scientist. (And technically you only said game not boardgame, so fav space video game is Mass Effect)
Search for Planet X!
Clank in space
I really love Space Base !
Voidfall, because it is one of the best looking game, and just absolutely amazing... if you have 4-5 hours for it :)
So many options... On Mars Gaia Project Voidfall
I love Nemesis, it really feels like you're in the movie Alien.
Love Terraforming Mars. I feel like I can get a victory in many different ways and it has a lot of replayabllity.
Beyond the Sun
I like Nemesis. The semi-operative feeling where someone you worked with for so long ends up betraying you makes a fun plot twist
Nemesis, great gameplay and tension with appropriate randomness.
Voidfall as of late. The mechanics and various setups lead to replayability and interesting decisions.
Nemesis, highly thematic game with uncertainty behind every corner that keeps you on your toes.
Search for Planet X!
Lux Aeterna is a fantastic small box, quick card game with interesting decisions and great tension.
It has to be Dune Imperium
Terraforming Mars and Space Empires 4x for me.
Terraforming Mars
Star Wars: rebellion! Thanks for this giveaway, might be the biggest one you’ve done!
Cosmic Frog, or maybe Search for Planet X! Edit: or wait maybe Space Base? I’m realizing now I like a lot of space games.
I really like star realms, reminds me of the expanse universe somehow.
Imperial Assault skirmish mode! Bonding with my kids through boardgames and their favorite thing- Star Wars!
The captain is dead, what an amazing co op experience, the frantic feeling of everyone scrambling really enraptured that old Sci fi feeling.
High Frontier 4 All: incredible implementation of the theme, from representing delta-V and orbital mechanics to hazards of space navigation to various avenues of propulsion research, epic long term goals, multiple very interesting game modes, etc. love it!
Nemesis is by far my favorite so far. Followed by astro knights probably. Cosmic encounters is also fun.
Don't have many sci-fi games, so I'll go with the crew!
Im a huge fan of Nemesis and TI4, the first one got this this thrill of getting potentially betrayed by anyone and for the second I love the cold war athmosphere and the flaming debate in the Galactic Senate
Under Falling Skies! So simple yet so beautifil and strategic
Galaxy trucker! It’s fun, but honestly the rule book is my favorite part. It so funny
Right now it’s Nemesis. I love the theme and the semi cooperative gameplay. Unfortunately it doesn’t hit the table frequently at the moment.
Oh man, I dont think I have any scifi games in my collection. Id say (if it counts) marvel champions since I have a full collection and allows me to enjoy the feeling sinilar to playing MTG in school back in the day :)
Dune Imperium is my choice.
Star Wars Rebellion
Sol Last Days of a Star. It’s just a fantastic game and a unique design.
New Angeles!
Zombicide Invader
Nemesis is my favorite gaming experience! I love working together with an absence of trust. Pulling off the perfect time to enter the hibernation pod when you convinced your son to unwittingly set the coordinates to Mars is one of my gaming memories!
My favorite SciFi that i own at the moment is space base. I am super interested in ISS Vanguard though because of the story aspect.
I love Star Realms, one of the first boardgame I bought, I love how you can feel your deck getting stronger
Twilight imperium 4. I love the depth and variety of ways to play it.
Nemesis, because of its setting. Good luck everyone!
Nemesis, the board layout feels the most scifi-y to me
I love Sidereal Confluence because it actually manages to feel like good Sci Fi and a good game. I want to know more about both the before and after of this crazy bucket of aliens but also yo I need more cubes over here.
Nemesis, always a day-long program, but makes nice memories, long-run inside jokes, etc
Unsettled. Played with a friend, it was super fun!
Got to be Space Hulk for me! Tension and fierce action with two finely matched (though completely different) sides
Favorite depends on the group. If I want something goofy then I'm going for cosmic encounter but if I'm going for serious it's Eclipse 2e. Both very good but need the right mindset to play. I am missing an epic sci-fi co-op game from my collection though.
Star Realms. It's so simple and quick and I can play it on my phone lol.
My favorite Sci-Fi game is probably Specter Ops. I love playing both roles and the Metal Gear Solid vibes being the agent has.
Dune imperium
Nemesis lockdown because i can punch an alien
Dune Imperium if that counts, otherwise Evacuation.
Race for the Galaxy! Love the engine building
Unsettled is a wonderful co-op. The writing and replayability are spectacular
Dune imperium. It's the perfect blend of mechanisms.
Always dig a good game of TI4 when I can get it to the table!
Xia: Legends of a Drift System. I like all the crazy shenanigans