Galaxy Trucker

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Galaxy Trucker
DesignersVlaada Chvatil
IllustratorsRadim Pech
PublishersHeidelberger Spieleverlag
GenresBoard game
Players2 to 4 (5 with expansion)
Playing time30 minutes
Age range8 years and up

Galaxy Trucker is a science-fiction board game for two to four players. Galaxy Trucker was developed by Vlaada Chvatil, with graphics designed by Radim Pech. The Czech version of Galaxy Trucker was released in 2007 by Czech Games Edition, and a German version was published in the same year by Heidelberger Spieleverlag. In 2021, a revised edition of the game was released.[1]

Vlaada Chvatil developed the video game version of Galaxy Trucker in 2014. It was released on the 7th of October 2014 for iPad,[2] the 24th of December 2014 for iPhone and Android,[3] and the 14th of April 2015 for Windows Phone.[4]

Game Description

Galaxy Corporation Incorporated is a construction firm that builds sewer systems and low-income houses on underdeveloped planets. Galaxy Corporation Incorporated is on the verge of bankruptcy which has resulted in the company transporting building materials to the edge of the Galaxy, where the need for their services is highest. Galaxy Corporation Incorporated was saved by a few individuals who decided not to ship the materials to the edge of the Galaxy and instead build the materials into spacecraft and ship themselves instead. The players now must sign a contract and then gain access to Galaxy Corporation Incorporated Warehouse. The players can build their own spacecrafts from the available prefabricated materials and fly to the Periphery (edge of the Galaxy). The players may lose money, but any gains made are theirs to keep, and Galaxy Corporation Incorporated will pay a bonus for quick delivery. It’s possible that the player will end up with an immense amount of debt and beg for money on the street or they may find themselves among the 10 billion richest people in the Galaxy.[5]

Gameplay

Galaxy Trucker is played in three (or up to four with expansions) rounds, with later rounds having bigger ships that increase travel difficulty. Each round consists of three phases: building, space travel, and settlement. Before every round, four decks of cards are prepared (3 public and 1 Hidden)

Building phase

The main phase of Galaxy Trucker is during the construction phase, which has players building ships. In the beginning, all tiles are face down and all players pick and build simultaneously. Time restrictions via Hourglasses keep players under pressure, however faster players are able to limit the time available. A player who builds at least one tile can pick from the public deck to view the dangers ahead.

Flight

All decks are shuffled together and played one by one by the starting player. Cards contain both positive and negative effects (meteor showers, planets with goods, battle zones, slavers, or pirates) that can bring money and goods, remove pieces of ship (that must be repaired), or even force a player to return home.

Settlement

After the flight, players receive bonuses for the fastest delivery or the nicest ship and can sell obtained goods. Players also have to pay for any lost tiles.

Expansions

The Big Expansion (2008)

This expansion adds new features:[6]

  • New ship designs (1A ship and 2A fleet) and ship parts (like a shield and laser boosters)
  • 5 player support
  • New adventure cards
  • Evil machination cards - optional player-selectable cards that allow for a more customized deck
  • Rough Roads Ahead cards to increase difficulty
  • Blue alien race with unique roles such as diplomat or lawyer

Another Big Expansion (2012)

Source:[7]

  • Fourth round
  • New ship designs
    • 2B - Cylindrical ship with no sides (border parts are connected)
    • 3B - Amoeba - ship with holes depending on dice cast before the build phase
    • 4 - Big ship or fleet made by combining the two boards (back-side of 2B and 3B) with the final shape decided during the build phase
  • New adventure cards with boarding parties and new ship components like Armory or Security Stations to stop them
  • Support crew

Latest Models (2013)

Source:[8]

Minor expansion based on new ship designs.

  • 1C/2C - Two designs sharing the same board with a space-time anomaly in the middle
  • 3C - Death star design (square board with parts connected over the edges)
  • 4C - Combines board with back-sides of 1C/2C and 3C - Ship or Fleet with final topology dependent on dice cast during building

Missions (2015)

Minor expansion based on missions introduced by the digital versions. The expansion contains mission cards and special tiles (like radioactive cargo and metal ingots).[9]

Galaxy Trucker (2014)

An iPad version of Galaxy Trucker was released in October 2014,[2] with releases for iPhone and Android following in December 2014.[3] A version for Windows Phone was released the following year in April 2015.[4] Galaxy Trucker offers a story based campaign, a solo game, and multiplayer.[10] The expansion Alien technologies was released in August 2016 with Galaxy Trucker adding more features such as new tiles, a new species, and a new game mode.

Gameplay

Galaxy Trucker features two phases - shipbuilding and Space Travel.[11] The player builds their ship from junk to prepare for their trip as best as they can. Like the board game, players build the ship in real-time, with an option for a turn-based mode similar to the original game. The second phase is the trip, having the player gain the highest score by getting to the destination before their rivals or by getting the most valuable goods.

Reception

Galaxy Trucker has received very positive reviews, with an 87% on Metacritic, Galaxy Trucker has also gained awards including the best Czech video game of the year by Games.cz and Readers Choice by Board Game Geek.[12][13][14]

Awards & Nominations

Source:[15]

  • 2008 Golden Geek Best Board Game Artwork/Presentation Nominee
  • 2008 Golden Geek Best Family Board Game Nominee
  • 2008 Golden Geek Best Gamer's Board Game Nominee
  • 2008 Golden Geek Best Party Board Game Nominee
  • 2008 Hra roku Nominee
  • 2008 Spiel der Spiele Hit mit Freunden Recommended
  • 2008 Spiel des Jahres Recommended
  • 2009 Japan Boardgame Prize Voters' Selection Nominee
  • 2009 Lys Passioné Finalist
  • 2012 Ludoteca Ideale Winner

References

  1. ^ "BoardGameGeek about Galaxy Trucker (2021)".
  2. ^ a b "Galaxy Trucker is now on iPad". Czechgames.com. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Galaxy Trucker is now available on iPhone and Android". Czechgames.com. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Galaxy Trucker is now available also on Windows Phone!". Czechgames.com. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  5. ^ "Galaxy Trucker". Rio Grande Games. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  6. ^ "BoardGameGeek about The Big Expansion".
  7. ^ "BoardGameGeek about Another BigExpansion".
  8. ^ "BoardGameGeek about Latest Models". Retrieved 9 November 2013.
  9. ^ "BoardGameGeek about Missions". Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  10. ^ Neumann, Dave. "Review: Galaxy Trucker". Pocket Tactics. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  11. ^ "Galaxy Trucker". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  12. ^ "Galaxy Trucker for iOS". MetaCritic. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  13. ^ "Best of 2014: Nejlepší česká hra". Games.cz. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  14. ^ Cummings, Bradley. "Best of 2014 - Readers' Choice Game of the Year". Board Game Geek. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  15. ^ "Galaxy Trucker". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2018-05-30.

External links

Retrieved from "https://mdwiki.org/wiki/Galaxy_Trucker"