8.9
rating
Ludopedia
8.4
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
FOR GENRE FANS
Anyone who loves dense 4X space strategy with incredible replay value will fall in love. The variety of species and turn-based combat make every session feel fresh.
Highlights
- Incredibly deep
- Multiple victory paths
- Beautiful miniatures
- High replayability
- Satisfying combat
Keep in mind
- Long sessions for some
- Steep learning curve
- Downtime between turns
About the game
What you do in a play session
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy is the upgrade the 2011 original deserved. You take command of a spacefaring civilization and compete with rivals for galactic dominance — exploring star systems, advancing technology, building fleets, and waging war when the time is right. All on a hexagonal board where every tile matters.
The beauty of the game is that there's no single path to victory. You can focus on research, territorial expansion, dirty diplomacy, or simply go all-out aggressive. The trick is understanding your species' strengths and weaknesses and playing to them while keeping an eye on what your opponents are scheming.
This second edition arrived with a fresh visual design (it's gorgeous, I won't lie), a full line of ship miniatures, new miniatures for ancients, GCDS, orbitals, custom combat dice, plastic inlays, and finely tuned gameplay. The heart of Eclipse remains: hexagons, area influence, regional impulses, and that strategic chaos that makes every session feel unique.
The game is dense, long, and demands focus. But for fans of deep 4X space strategy, it's become a modern classic. Grab a beer, sit with your trusted gaming crew, and get ready for a night of interstellar warfare.
The beauty of the game is that there's no single path to victory. You can focus on research, territorial expansion, dirty diplomacy, or simply go all-out aggressive. The trick is understanding your species' strengths and weaknesses and playing to them while keeping an eye on what your opponents are scheming.
This second edition arrived with a fresh visual design (it's gorgeous, I won't lie), a full line of ship miniatures, new miniatures for ancients, GCDS, orbitals, custom combat dice, plastic inlays, and finely tuned gameplay. The heart of Eclipse remains: hexagons, area influence, regional impulses, and that strategic chaos that makes every session feel unique.
The game is dense, long, and demands focus. But for fans of deep 4X space strategy, it's become a modern classic. Grab a beer, sit with your trusted gaming crew, and get ready for a night of interstellar warfare.
Expansions
Published additional content
Eclipse: Neue Gefahren
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy – Expanded Galaxy
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy – Galactic Events
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy – Gamemat
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy – Minor Species
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy – Outcasts
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy – Remnants of Worlds Afar
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy – Rift Cannon
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy – Seekers
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy – Supernova
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy – Turn Order Variant
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy – Warped Universe
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy – Worlds Afar Collection
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
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How To Play Eclipse In 33 Minutes
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Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy - Tutorial and Playthrough
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How To Play Eclipse (Part 2)
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How to Play Eclipse: Second Dawn in 25 Minutes
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How To Setup Eclipse
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Cardboard Academy - 5 Easy Strategy Tips for Eclipse: a New or 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy
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How To Play The Worlds Afar Expansions
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Eclipse Second Dawn: Learn to Play
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Eclipse | E0 Setup | Red Plays
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The Teach for "Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy"
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Eclipse Fit it All in the Box
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Let's play a turn of Eclipse Second Dawn for the Galaxy
Rules manual
Official PDF file
Best player count
BGG community vote
2
REC
3
REC
4
BEST
5
REC
6
BEST
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Lautapelit.fi, Arclight Games, CrowD Games, Maldito Games, Matagot, MeepleBR
Designer
Touko Tahkokallio
Artist
Jere Kasanen, Jukka Rajaniemi, Noah Adelman, Sampo Sikiö
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
22,353owners
9,132wishlist
972want to play
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
Do I need the original Eclipse to play?
No. Second Dawn is a complete reimplemention with new and updated components. You don't need anything from the 2011 game.
How many players does it work well with?
It works with 2-6 players, but the most praised experience is with 3-5. With 2 it can feel a bit lonely, and with 6 the table gets very crowded.
How long does a game last?
Between 60 and 200 minutes. Games of 2-3 hours are most common, but it depends a lot on the group's pace and player experience.
Is it hard to learn?
It has a considerable learning curve, especially on the first play. The combat rules and action order can be confusing at first, but it clicks after a couple sessions.
Are the components worth the investment?
Very much so. Miniatures, custom dice, and plastic inlays give a premium feel. The visual upgrade in the second edition is a huge jump from the original.
Is there a digital version?
Yes, it's available on Steam with AI and online multiplayer.
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