Deja Vu: Fragments of Memory

Asteria Games · Board game · 2018
8.5 Ludopedia 7.0 BGG 2–4 · best 2 45–90 min Weight 2.7/5
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8.5 rating Ludopedia
7.0 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy games that blend long-term strategy with tactical board puzzles, Deja Vu: Fragments of Memory is a treat! It challenges you to build an efficient engine while unraveling a space mystery, all with a mancala mechanic that makes you think with every move. It's an engaging experience for those seeking a brainy challenge with an intriguing theme.

Highlights
  • Satisfying engine building
  • Engaging tactical puzzle
  • Clever mancala mechanic
  • High map replayability
  • Mysterious and captivating theme
Keep in mind
  • Can be a bit abstract
  • Initial learning curve
  • Indirect player interaction
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In Deja Vu: Fragments of Memory, we're thrown into a mysterious adventure with a nameless girl who awakens in an egg-like space pod, devoid of any memory, save for a bowl of luminous flowers and alien symbols tattooed on her arm. Her only clue is a black box in the pod's computer, containing records of visited planets. Determined to uncover her past, she decides to revisit these locations in reverse order, hoping to retrieve her lost memories.

Despite its memory theme, this game is not a traditional 'memory game'. It focuses on tableau-building and set-collection, demanding both tactical and strategic prowess. In the tactical phase, you collect wooden tokens on a modular map, paying close attention to color and shape combinations – every detail matters! It's a pleasantly perplexing mind puzzle to solve.

The strategic part comes into play when you use these tokens to add cards to your tableau, building a 'card engine' that generates victory points, enhances your resource-collecting ability, and optimizes the engine itself. The big question is: should you focus on expanding your card selection, creating more space for resources, or planting more cosmic flowers? Balanced and efficient long-term planning is the key to victory.

The central cosmic map isn't just a place for resources; it's also a battlefield where you contend for precious memory fragments. When paired with the right cards, these fragments can earn you an enormous amount of victory points. Get ready for an intriguing journey of self-discovery and space strategy!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 BEST
3 REC
4 OK

Soundtrack

Ambience suggested by Melodice

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Digital Implementations: TableTop Simulator Mod (TTS) Digital Implementations: Tabletopia Theme: Psychology
Publisher Asteria Games
Designer Terry Cheung
Artist Alisa Ryshchuk, Dendy Dhamier, Miura Naoko

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

957owners
147wishlist
21want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the ideal player count for Deja Vu: Fragments of Memory?
The game plays well with 2 to 4 players, but many find the experience shines brightest with 3 or 4, as the competition for memory fragments and resources on the board becomes more intense and engaging.
How long does a game of Deja Vu usually last?
Expect a session to last between 45 to 90 minutes. The duration can vary slightly depending on the number of players and everyone's familiarity with the rules and strategies.
Is it a complex game? What's the difficulty level?
It has a BGG weight of 2.67/5, placing it in the medium complexity category. It's not a 'gateway game' but also not a heavy euro. There's an initial learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, decisions flow smoothly.
What are the main components of the game?
You'll find a modular board, many colorful and varied wooden tokens, cards to build your tableau, and of course, the memory fragments. All with artwork that matches the science fiction and fantasy theme.
Who would you recommend Deja Vu: Fragments of Memory to?
It's perfect for those who enjoy games that blend engine building, set collection, and a touch of mancala, with an immersive theme. If you like a strategic and tactical challenge, without being overly punishing, it's definitely worth checking out!
Does the story of the memory-less girl actually influence gameplay?
The story serves as a fantastic thematic wrapper for the mechanics. While not a narrative game in the traditional sense, the idea of 'reconstructing memories' is reflected in how you collect tokens and build your card engine, adding an extra charm to the experience.

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