"Anyone tried Space Empires 4x?" Topic

Referring to the GMT game. It appears to be very popular but I don't know anyone who''s actually played it.

I have 2 teenage nephews I get together with during the holidays. I've made it my job to show up with a different board game each year.

So far we've played Samurai Swords/ Shogun, Space Hulk, and 1 of the Pandemics.

Just looking for sone first hand reviews and in particular how complicated is it.

Thanks.

That's not one I've played, alas. But as someone who regularly introduces teens to board games, I applaud your effort!

Some wins for me:

Virtually any Risk variant, but 2210 AD, Star Wars Original Trilogy, and Lord of the Rings are the biggest winners, though classic Secret Mission Risk is a big hit, too.

Conquest of the Empire (MB/Eagle Games), with the Eagle Games rules being superior.

Dungeons & Dragons: Conquest of Nerath, a fantasy Axis & Allies type game (but more novice friendly and much, much quicker to play).

Battle Cry

Memoir ‘44

Wings of Glory: Every teen and young adult I've introduced this to loves it.

X-Wing: Ditto.

Lighter, more "boardgamey" fare (that you might even get others to join in):

Betrayal at the House on the Hill: sort of a mash-up between Scooby-Doo and a classic B horror movie. It starts out as a co-op game exploring a creepy mansion and then becomes an evil villain vs. hapless heroes game when "the haunt" is revealed and one player becomes the Traitor with a nefarious (even hellish) plot. 50 different "Haunts" are available, and the game randomly determines which happens, so it's got a lot of scary (and funny) replay value.

Kill Doctor Lucky. (Needs at least 4 players to be a fun one). Sort of a "reverse Clue," with the players vying to be the lone murderer of the eponymous (and aptly named) doctor. Our house rule: Players must read all applied Failure cards aloud when prevented from their goal. Hilarity ensues.

King of Tokyo. Yahtzee meets kaiju. Great fun, easy peasy.

Star Trek Panic!: A spin on Castle Panic, this co-op game finds the players being the crew of the classic (TOS) Enterprise, trying to complete its five-year mission while surviving the non-stop attacks of Klingons, Romulans and Tholians (and the occasional Orion Raider), plus various other space hazards. Great fun, and certainly appropriately named, as you'll be sweating photon torpedoes as the Enterprise becomes more and more damaged and the alien enemies Just. Keep. Coming.!!!! Expect to lose, but have a fun (and frantic) time doing it. (This one is helped by players being Star Trek fans, or at least having some familiarity with the classic series. But it's still a great and very challenging game.)

Again, not the game you were asking about. Sorry about that. I do know of it, but haven't played it. I have Stellar Conquest, which is probably the first 4x game, but really wouldn't recommend it unless you have very nerdy nephews who want to spend hours tracking their exploration and technological development efforts.

Lighter 4x games would be Tom Wham's Planet Busters (well, not really so much on the "explore" part), and maybe Cosmic Encounter.

EDIT: Found the BGG page for Space Empires 4x, and there are various reviews there: link

I would give it a thumbs up. Not too complicated, but because you produce and move secretly, everyone has to understand the rules. Played it plenty of times with my teenager and a buddy in three way matches. Lots of gotcha moments when you spring the heavy ships on the other guy that he didn't know you had, or find out someone has fighters and you don't.

Thank you both so much. Minister, that's exactly what I was looking for. Pretty much confirms what people on YouTube and BGG had to say about it.

Parzifal, thanks so much for the numerous suggestions. I've got lots of research to do know! I've only had experience with 2 games on your list. Memoir 44 I happened to have given one of the Boys about 4-5 years ago, which he seemed to enjoy.

Battle Cry I bought for myself when it first came out. Alas, I ended up selling it years sfo.

Forbidden Stars is another one I have sitting around the house. I only read the rules once and my fits thought was it might be too involved for what these guys are used to.

Thanks again for the great input.

Great game, have all the expansions. Not too complicated.

I only played it once. I hate it. I call it accountents in space. Gaming buddies seem to like it ok. They will not suggest playing it around me. May be my most hated board game.

Lol, fair play Cfuzwuz.

I've read the rules, was going to play via VASSAL and Skype with my friend on the east coast who owns a copy. It read a lot like accountants in space to me as well, with a looong slow buildup to the cool ships. I'd rather just start with the cool ships, these days.

Robo Rally is my intro board game of choice.

It is not a petty game at all (the board will end up looking quite colorful due to the many units), which is why I sold my copy.

Now if you are looking for good three player games that are easy.

I would go with Command & Colors or any of the GMT's COIN games.

Though the COIN games are a tad more difficult to learn.

Now Axis & Allies has a game out called.

Axis & Allies & Zombies

Puts a total twist on the game since Zombies on each players turn and when your Infantry die they become Zombies.

Fairly easy to learn and play though it is better with 4-5 players.