Lunarchitects

(Web published), Iron Kitten Games, LLC · Board game · 2016
1–5 · best 3 Solo 45–60 min Weight 2.6/5
rating Ludopedia
7.2 rating BGG
Buy
rating Ludopedia
7.2 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

If you enjoy strategic games with a space theme and a turn system that really makes you think, Lunarchitects is an excellent choice!

Highlights
  • Innovative turn mechanism
  • High replayability
  • Strategic territory building
  • Engaging lunar colonization theme
  • Important tactical decisions
Keep in mind
  • May require a few plays to master
  • Indirect player interaction
  • Might not appeal to direct conflict seekers
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About the game

What you do in a play session

In Lunarchitects, you and your colleagues are visionary architects at Luna Mare, a firm tasked with designing the first lunar base. The competition is fierce: who will secure the best blueprints, astronauts, and resources to build the most impressive base? This is a medium-weight strategy game where the turn dynamic is the main highlight. Players move their pawns along a constantly refilling circular queue to claim coveted building blueprints. The clever twist is that, instead of following traditional turn order, the player 'furthest behind' on the time track always takes the next turn. This means you need to carefully consider the quality of the blueprint you take, not just the quantity, as stopping for something good might grant you multiple consecutive turns! Blueprints are organized into four stages, with increasing costs and powers. Each time all players complete a lap around the blueprint queue, a scoring round occurs. The game ends after the fourth scoring round, and the architect with the most points will have their plans immortalized in the history of lunar colonization. Inspired by the acclaimed Glen More, Lunarchitects stands out for its replayability, featuring unknown tile arrangements and variable scoring schemes each game, ensuring no single strategy remains dominant forever. It's a family-friendly game for 1 to 5 players, with sessions lasting about an hour.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–5 players
1 REC
2 BEST
3 BEST
4 REC
5 OK

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Mechanism: Tableau Building Occupation: Architect Space: Colonization / Extraterrestrial Colonisation Space: Earth's Moon
Publisher (Web published), Iron Kitten Games, LLC
Designer Dan Cunningham
Artist Paul Cox

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

754owners
257wishlist
71want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

7 questions
How many players can play Lunarchitects?
The game is super flexible and can be played by 1 to 5 players, which is great for different table sizes!
What is the average game length?
Prepare for a session of about 45 to 60 minutes. It's an ideal time for deeper strategy without being exhaustive.
What is the complexity level of Lunarchitects?
It's considered a medium-weight game (2.625/5 on BGG). It has rules that require some attention, but nothing a few plays won't solve to get the hang of it.
Does the game have high replayability?
Absolutely! The tile arrangements are always different, and scoring schemes vary each game, ensuring every play is a new and challenging experience.
What are the main components of the game?
You'll find many hexagonal tiles to build your base, pawns for the time track, and blueprint cards to collect. All with a cool space theme!
Is Lunarchitects a good game for beginners?
It can be a good challenge for beginners who already have some experience with board games. The turn mechanism is a bit different, but it's worth learning!
What differentiates it from other tile-placement games?
The big twist is the time-track based turn order, where the 'lagging' player gets to play. This creates a unique and interesting 'pass and grab' tactical layer.

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