Battlestations: Second Edition

Gorilla Games · Board game · 2017
— Ludopedia 7.9 BGG 2–9 · best 5 60–180 min Weight 3.6/5
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— rating Ludopedia
7.9 rating BGG
Our Verdict
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

If you're a fan of science fiction, RPGs, and board games that tell epic stories, Battlestations: Second Edition is a treat! It manages to blend the excitement of space battles with the depth of exploration and character development, all with rules that, despite being simple, allow for immense creative freedom. The experience is immersive and super rewarding for those who like to truly get involved in the narrative.

Highlights
  • Immersive starship simulator
  • Blends RPG and board game
  • Characters evolve in campaign
  • Freedom of action and choices
  • Multiple simultaneous maps
Keep in mind
  • Playtime can be long
  • Initial learning curve
  • Requires engaged group
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In the 22nd Century, humanity unlocked the secrets of interstellar travel with hyperdrives and cloning, making space journeys safer and more accessible. With vast stellar resources at their disposal, the galaxy opened up for exploration, and with it, the chance for ordinary adventurers to become legendary heroes. But, of course, space is dangerous, and emergencies aboard your starship are routine. Do you have what it takes to be the legend the galaxy needs?

Battlestations: Second Edition is a tabletop starship simulator that blends board game and RPG elements in a really cool way. It uses multiple maps to simulate both the thrilling action in space and the events unfolding inside the ships involved in conflicts. Your characters evolve throughout campaigns, earning experience points, upgrades, and new abilities, just like in a good RPG. The rules are quite intuitive, but they allow for incredible freedom of action, like teleporting to an enemy ship, hacking its helm controls, steering it towards a black hole, and bailing out at the last minute!

Inside the box, you'll find a universe of possibilities: alien worlds to explore, ships to upgrade, and a crew of loyal comrades to embark on epic adventures with. One player takes on the role of 'the enemy,' working against the others, who cooperate to overcome challenges and write their own space sagas. Get ready for plenty of action and impactful decisions!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

3 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–9 players
2 OK
3 REC
4 REC
5 BEST
6 REC
7 REC
8 REC
9 OK

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Game: Battlestations Misc: LongPack Games
Publisher Gorilla Games
Designer Jeff Siadek
Artist Alfredo Lopez, Jr., Dan Blanchett, James Alexander Olley, James Olley, Steven Hamilton

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

1,125owners
378wishlist
53want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
How many players does Battlestations: Second Edition support?
It's super versatile! You can play with 2 to 9 people, which is great for groups of various sizes. One player takes on the role of 'the enemy' and the others cooperate.
What's the average playtime for a game?
Get ready for an adventure! Games can vary quite a bit, from 60 to 180 minutes. It's a game that invites longer, more immersive sessions.
What's the complexity level of the game?
It has a BGG weight of 3.6364/5, which indicates a medium-high complexity. The core rules are simple, but the freedom of choices and the depth of the RPG make it more robust.
What comes in the box? Do I need additional miniatures?
The box comes packed with everything you need to start your adventures, including miniatures, modular boards, and components for the RPG. No need to buy extras to play!
Who is this game for?
It's perfect for anyone who loves science fiction, tabletop RPGs, and games that allow you to create stories as you play. If you enjoy a mix of space combat, exploration, and character development, you'll love it!
Are the campaigns very long?
Campaigns are designed for your characters to evolve over several sessions. Each 'mission' can be a single game, but the story unfolds over time, which is great for those looking for a long-lasting experience.

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