How many players can join?

The game is for 2 to 4 players. With 2, it still works, but the interaction and chaos are more fun with 3 or 4 people.

What's the average playtime?

A full game with three rounds lasts about 60 minutes, but the first time may take a bit longer as everyone learns the building rules.

Is it complex to learn?

The flight phase is simple, but the connection rules during building require initial attention. You can explain it in 10-15 minutes, and the learning curve is quick after that.

It includes ship tiles (pipes, guns, engines, etc.), event cards, markers, ship boards of different sizes, and a great sand timer for the building phase.

For families and friend groups who enjoy games with interaction, laughter, and a bit of controlled chaos. Kids from 8-10 years old usually have a blast.

Is there much text dependency?

Very little. The event cards have clear icons, and the text is quickly memorized. It's a game that travels well for international game nights.

Is it more luck or strategy?

There's a good dose of luck in the tiles you grab and the events, but strategy comes in when building the ship efficiently and deciding when to stop constructing.

Galaxy Trucker

Czech Games Edition (CGE), Albi, asmodee · Board game · 2007

2–4 · best 4 60 min Weight 2.3/5

7.8 rating Ludopedia

7.3 rating BGG

Read verdict Buy · from US$ 31.61

STEP BY STEP

Objective of the Game

Your mission is to build a sturdy spaceship, brave the dangers of space, and deliver cargo to distant planets. The player who earns the most credits by the end of the game wins! Victory comes from balancing speed, durability, and cargo capacity while surviving asteroid fields, pirates, and other cosmic hazards.

Preparation (Setup)

1. Place the game board in the center of the table. 2. Shuffle the deck of ship tiles and place it face-down. 3. Give each player: - A player board (to build their ship) - 20 credits (starting currency) - A set of pilot cards (face-down) 4. Prepare the market: - Lay out ship tiles face-up in rows (3 tiles per row, 3 rows) - Place action tiles and event cards nearby 5. Set the starting marker on the first round of the board.

The Game Turn

Each round has 3 phases:

Building Phase: - Players take turns selecting ship tiles from the market to build their spaceship. - Tiles must connect edge-to-edge (no floating pieces!). - You may pass once per round if tiles don’t suit your strategy.
Flight Phase: - Players reveal their pilot cards simultaneously. - Cards determine movement order and special abilities. - Ships travel along the board path, encountering event cards (asteroids, pirates, etc.). - Resolve events: pay credits for damage, lose cargo, or use pilot abilities to mitigate risks.
Harvest Phase: - Surviving players collect credits from delivered cargo. - Credits = cargo icons on intact ship sections. - Damage reduces cargo value (1 credit per damage token).

End of Game and Scoring

The game ends after 3 rounds. Calculate your final score:

Credits earned (from delivered cargo)
Bonus credits for: - Completing pilot card goals - Having intact ship sections
Penalties: - Lose credits for damage tokens - Lose credits for lost cargo

The player with the highest total credits wins!

Tips for Winning

Prioritize structural integrity: Always connect ship tiles securely. A single gap can destroy cargo mid-flight!
Balance speed and defense: Fast ships earn more cargo but risk damage. Add shield tiles early to survive asteroid fields.
Use pilot cards strategically: Save high-movement cards for dangerous routes. Pair pilot abilities with ship tiles for combos (e.g., cargo + speed).

Rules videos