Moonrakers is a ship‑building and negotiation game set in a space‑faring future. You and the other players start as lone mercenaries, but each round the scenario changes: you must pick contracts, negotiate with allies, and build an action deck that includes thrusters, shields, weapons, reactors, and crew. Each contract has specific requirements and, if you meet them, you earn prestige and credits, but you may also face hazards that reduce your victory points. The action‑point mechanic limits how many cards you can play per turn, while deck building lets you improve your collection over the game. Negotiation is crucial: you must convince allies to accept your terms, but if the offer isn’t good enough they may betray you. The game blends dice rolling to determine hazard outcomes, hand management to choose the right cards, and open drafting to pick contract cards. With 1‑5 players and 60‑120 minutes of playtime, Moonrakers offers a deep strategic and social experience, with temporary alliances that shift each round. The game demands attention to resource management and reading other players’ intentions, but rewards those who master the art of negotiation and deck construction.