This is fun. First week in January catch up.

The three old guys got together for a  Space Empires game.

12 by 10 hexes, three players in the learning stage in a scenario designed for three players.

All the exploration to mid game. Such a simple mechanic.  Get the ships to the unknown area, scout and report, unless it kills you. Black holes, dangerous areas... and we did not even play with space amoebas and or doomsday craft... don't ask, it'll spoil the fun. 

We will have to try this again, adding alien empires will add a lot of diversity. Just as we figure out the logistics and tech trees. Best laid plans, and all.

The scenario features three 'home' areas where exploration is slightly  less dangerous than  ' deep space. '

Blue Green and Yellow were the colonial colors. There is also a set of Red counters, and you can use the 'alien' ships for a 5th player. 

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In one corner, I fund three barren planets, all next to each other and cordoned off on two sides by black holes.

 

Asteroid belts, planets and nebulae, barren planets and black holes. And all this before using the card stacks to give the aliens special powers.

the tech trees were already making each player fleet different. My neighbors selected larger hulled ships while I opted for faster ships. 

       

90 minutes of pure fun. Great test run of the basics.  Group and solo play very doable.  

 

 

       

 Hardest task is keeping organizes after play. So many counters.