SETI Board Game Review: From Confusion to Cosmic Discovery
Review by Lincoln Hoppe: The Game Bard
First Contact
SETI is a beautifully produced year-old game with some serious crunch. According to Board Game Geek, it currently weighs in at 3.76 out of five on the complexity scale. I don’t disagree. It’s crunchy.
There’s no doubt this production is fantastic, but beneath this stellar production lies a galaxy of interwoven mechanics that took me on an unexpected journey.
(Review text here is a quick Summary of the video)
“No game has ever changed so drastically from my first impression to my third play. Ever. EVER!“
Core Mechanics & Systems
Core Gameplay Elements:
- Spreading scientists across the board
- Managing resources
- Following multiple paths of progress
- Developing tech trees
- Exploring locations
- Collecting data sets
You start pretty basic, just a few simple actions, but as you build up your engine, your actions get more powerful, your choices get more interesting, and suddenly you’re juggling this whole web of interconnected systems.
Awesome Resource containers by Box to Board
Three Paths to Victory
Main Victory Paths:
- Technology track
- Planet and moon exploration track
- Data collection track
And just when you think you’ve mapped out these three celestial paths to victory, SETI throws in another variable that changes everything: Aliens. (Spoiler alert. Sorry, there’s aliens.)
Each path:
- Is a puzzle requiring upgrades
- Needs strategic resource management
- Demands perfect timing
- Can lead to victory points
The Learning Journey
Comparison with Other Games:
- Great Western Trail (3.71 BGG complexity)
- Different learning curve experience
- SETI’s revelation: “gradual, challenging, and possibly even more rewarding”
Components & Emotional Impact 🧘♂️
Mental Health & Personal Growth:
- Every setback teaches something new
- Plans versus pivots
- Hopes versus reality
- Galaxy of possibilities
- Mirrors real-life exploration challenges
The expansive, overwhelming goal of scientists reaching out for intelligent life is perfectly mirrored by SETI’s mechanics.
Final Verdict: Should You Play SETI? 🎯
Why SETI Works:
- 40 minutes per player timeframe
- Freedom of choice despite overwhelm
- Mastery comes gradually
- Keeps drawing you back
SETI not only taught me about extraterrestrial life – it taught me about my life. Am I overstating for drama? Maybe you’ll never really know. But the truth is, right now, I’m considering spending part of my life today playing SETI again.
by Lincoln Hoppe
Original Music by Lincoln Hoppe: The Game Bard
Review copy provided by Czech Games Edition
Publisher: CGE Czech Games Edition
Designed by: Tomáš Holek
Board Game Geek Page: SETI (2024)
My Board Game Geek Page: Lincoln Hoppe
Lincoln Hoppe
Lincoln a professional film & Television actor based in Los Angeles, California.
He has a family with 5 kids, and one of his joys in life is playing games together as a family.
He's on a mission to spread the love and mental health benefits of play and board gaming to the world.
Email Me
games@lincolnhoppe.com
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