Planet Defenders

EmperorS4, Lucrum Games, Renegade Game Studios · Board game · 2016
8.0 Ludopedia 6.5 BGG 2–4 · best 4 30–60 min Weight 2.2/5
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8.0 rating Ludopedia
6.5 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Planet Defenders is a fantastic choice for those looking for a strategic sci-fi game that doesn't overstay its welcome. The core loop of hunting robots while managing battery resources creates a very satisfying and tight gameplay experience. It shines by balancing accessible rules with just enough tactical depth to keep every turn meaningful.

Highlights
  • Engaging sci-fi theme
  • Intuitive resource management
  • Perfect game length
  • Well-integrated drafting mechanics
Keep in mind
  • Player interaction can be limited
  • Dice luck can be swingy
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Imagine the year 2070: humanity has colonized the galaxy, but progress comes with a price. Our loyal robots have suddenly gone rogue, operating outside their programming and causing chaos across the stars. That is where you come in! As a lead scientist at RobotTech, your mission is to command the Planet Defenders to capture these derelict machines and restore order. The game is a fun balancing act of strategy and resource management. You will spend batteries to move your three defenders across different planets, collecting energy along the way. It is not just about movement; every step is an investment. You can use your hard-earned energy and batteries to upgrade your technology, making your future turns much more efficient. Capturing these rogue robots and collecting tech cards is how you rack up Research Points (RP). The game flows smoothly, and when the robot supply in two different sectors runs dry, the endgame is triggered. We finish the current round so everyone gets an equal number of turns, ensuring a fair fight until the very end. The player with the most RP at the end of the day wins. It is a neat experience that blends grid-based tactical movement with the tension of managing limited resources. The open drafting mechanic adds a nice layer of interaction, forcing you to keep a close eye on what your opponents are grabbing. If you enjoy a sci-fi theme mixed with economic management and that satisfying feeling of building up your capabilities, Planet Defenders will be a great addition to your collection. It is accessible enough for a casual game night while still offering enough depth to keep strategic thinkers engaged. Charge your batteries, deploy your defenders, and show those robots who is really in charge of the galaxy before the damage becomes irreversible!

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

1 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

2–4 players
2 BEST
3 BEST
4 BEST

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Publisher EmperorS4, Lucrum Games, Renegade Game Studios
Designer Wei-Min Ling
Artist Maisherly Chan

Community

Data from BoardGameGeek

1,145owners
166wishlist
17want to play

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

5 questions
Is the game difficult to learn?
Not at all! With a weight of about 2.18, it's quite accessible. If you've played games with grid movement before, you'll pick it up in just a few minutes.
How long does a game take?
Usually between 30 to 60 minutes, making it perfect for a slightly meatier filler or to kick off your game night.
Does it work well with 2 players?
Yes! The drafting and movement mechanics scale very well, keeping the tension high even with fewer players at the table.
Is it too luck-dependent?
There is some dice luck involved, but the battery management and card drafting allow you to mitigate that luck and take control of your strategy.
What is the main goal?
To collect the most Research Points (RP) by capturing rogue robots and investing in technology before the robot supply runs out.

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