Space alert
| Space alert | |
|---|---|
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| Game data | |
| author | Vlaada Chvátil |
| graphic |
Radim Pech , Milan Vavroň |
| publishing company |
Czech Games Edition , Heidelberger Spieleverlag , Rio Grande Games |
| Publishing year | 2008 |
| Art | Board game |
| Teammates | 1-5 |
| Duration | 30 minutes |
| Age | from 12 years
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| Awards | |
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Game of the Year 2009: Special Prize "New Game Worlds" |
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Space Alert is a real - time cooperative board game .
The players, as newly trained cadets, have to accompany their spaceship of the “clay pigeon class” on a 10-minute exploration mission. The only task is to defend the ship against possible attackers, for which you have to activate protective shields, several weapons and combat robots (for intruders), and provide the necessary energy. There are also three buttons (A to C) in each of the ship's six cabins, between which the players move.
The game is divided into two phases:
- The first phase is played in real time, so it actually only lasts 10 minutes, during which a CD is played announcing the dangers. The dangers themselves are determined by cards, so no two games are alike. In these 10 minutes, the players have to plan and coordinate up to 12 actions so that they take place at the right time. Each player can move or press a button in an action. The actions are laid down face-down by each player and may not be changed after a certain point in time. In order not to let discussions get out of hand, a player is designated as captain who always has the final decision.
- In the second phase , the actions are evaluated and the mission is played out again in peace (with the help of a detailed schedule). Only then does it become clear whether the crew survived the flight or not, i.e. whether the players lost or won. For professionals there is the possibility of a point evaluation and to play at the point maximum.
Although there are only three buttons in each of six rooms, only 12 actions have to be planned and yet up to 5 players can help, Space Alert is one of the most difficult cooperation games. The enormous time pressure under which several dangers that have different special characteristics have to be fought in a coordinated manner at the same time regularly leads to hectic and noisy coordination discussions. It is therefore recommended that a person be appointed as the “communications officer” who mainly listens carefully to the CD, otherwise hazard warnings are easily overheard.
The game can easily be set to a desired level of difficulty, as there are 4 levels of danger that can be used at will, and the duration can also be shortened from 10 to 7 minutes or from 12 to 7 actions to be planned.
Extensions
The German version of the first Space Alert expansion has been available in stores since 2011. It bears the title "Infinite Wideness" (English title "The New Frontier"). This adds new threats to the base game that are so massive that they encompass all trajectories. The biggest changes, however, are the new experience system and the specializations, which offer the game an almost role-playing dimension. For example, it is possible to turn players into rocket experts, pulse cannoners, paramedics or teleporters, all with individual, upgradeable skills.
Web links
- German product page. In: Heidelberger Spieleverlag.
- Product page of the “Infinite Widths” extension.
- German rules of the game. (PDF; 3.4 MB) In: Heidelberger Spielverlag.
- Space alert in the Luding games database
- Space Alert in the game database BoardGameGeek (English)