Cosmic Encounter
Cosmic Encounter is a game of interplanetary colonisation and cunning negotiations. Each player takes on the role of the leader of an alien race seeking to colonise as many planets as possible. The first player to colonise five planets in other players’ systems wins. But even planets that are not yet colonised are still defended, and in order to establish a settlement, you’ll need to win over the race that controls that planet—through negotiation, partnership, or war.
The core set includes fifty alien races, each with its own history and powers. You may be the leader of the genteel and thieving Filches, sensitive and oozing Amoebas, sneaky, infesting Parasites, or self-sacrificing Kamikazes. Your powers may enable you to quickly travel through space, prevent your defeated ships from falling into the Warp, or let you to look at another player's hand before you decide your next move. Each alien has individual strategic tools and a specific play style that shapes all of its encounters.
Cosmic Encounter offers you and your fellow aliens several variants for gameplay. Should you desire, a game can be shortened or lengthened by requiring fewer or more colonies. Tech cards can be integrated, which give each player a specific objective. Once accomplished, the Tech card becomes a useful asset that you can use later in the game. Players could also choose to conceal their alien powers until the moment they are used, or rotate which alien races they control and become a new alien every round.
With its numerous alien races, Flare cards, Artifact cards, and gameplay variants, Cosmic Encounter truly offers an infinity of gaming experiences. It is easy-to-learn for younger or less experienced players, but has enough variety and strategic complexity to engross even the most experienced board gamers.
Amass your fleet, form your alliances, and dive into the vast galaxy of this classic game!
Recommended Age: 12+
Players : 3 to 5
Approximate play time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Quick start instructions