Solar Storm (Kickstarter – Deluxe Edition)

Board Game Geek Reviews

1. 5 out of 10

   Fab3rge

   Played solo. Was excited to try this, but it fell flat after less than one playthrough. I was just bored. There was no real suspense or shock for me. I wanted to like this game too, as I prefer small games over over-produced ones, and space-themed games. I will give it another shot soon and re-review it perhaps.

2. 8 out of 10

   awjoel

   [B] This is a quick, small-footprint Pandemic style coop/solo game with a sci fi theme. It's now in my "solo filler" rotation - doesn't take up too much space, so I can leave it set up to avoid the minor hassle of set up (really just organizing the cards and setting out cubes). I've won only twice so far, but games are usually very close. Yes, there's a random element based on the cards you draw, but there are ways to mitigate bad luck. A word on the video review from Zee Garcia, whom I really like as a reviewer. He is correct that this game is derivative of Pandemic, but while he viewed that as a negative, it really works for me. I'm not a fan of Pandemic - mostly because of the theme - and this game uses the Pandemic core mechanics, but streamlines and rethemes them, and puts them in a small box. The one thing missing in this game are some special abilities for each character - would be nice as an optional rule - I may play around with a couple as a house rule. There are a ton of examples from other games. Such as.... one character could be an engineer, and would be able to use any part rather than have to use a particular part - perhaps only once per game. Similarly, one character could be the Captain, and could give another player an extra action (again, maybe just once per game). And perhaps one could be the security officer able to enhance shielding, and could prevent damage to a room (add the protection token), maybe once per game... You would then counterbalance these by removing some "wild cards".... Again, though, a nice, streamlined, space-themed Pandemic-style filler - definitely has a place in my library.

3. 10 out of 10

   ElHammerzeit

   Space needed 4/10. Favourite game in small/quick solo category for me. Tons of replayability. Small footprint. Quick setup. Plays really well - straightforward rules. Can get intense. Even though very much luck is involved - doesn't feel luck-dependant. Usually there is a way to mitigate bad luck.