8.8
rating
Ludopedia
8.0
rating
BGG
Our Verdict
If you enjoy a strategic euro with a space theme and high replayability, Shackleton Base is a sure bet! The interaction with corporations adds a unique flavor.
Highlights
- Deep strategy
- High replayability
- Impactful decision making
- Immersive theme
- Quality components
Keep in mind
- Can be a bit long
- Initial learning curve
- Indirect interaction
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Learn How to Play Step by Step
Check out our interactive rules guide and exclusive illustrated infographic.
Access Rules Guide
In Shackleton Base: A Journey to the Moon, you lead a space agency, collaborating with others to establish and expand a permanent base in the Shackleton crater at the Moon's South Pole. But don't think it's all cooperation! Three major corporations are funding the mission, each with their own objectives and secret agendas, and you'll have to balance everyone's interests to come out on top. The game is a strategic race to build structures and fund corporate projects that offer special abilities and numerous scoring opportunities. What's cool is that each game, three of the seven available corporations are randomly chosen, ensuring that every play is a unique experience with new projects, actions, and ways to score. The lunar journey unfolds over three intense rounds, each divided into three crucial phases. In the shuttle phase, you draft a tile that determines the astronauts and resources you'll have for the round, as well as the turn order. Then, in the action phase, it's time to put your astronauts to work on the Moon: collect resources, build vital structures for the base, or fund corporate projects. Each project you fund brings ongoing abilities and more chances to score. The maintenance phase concludes the round, where your astronauts are assigned to structures for bonuses, you collect income and pay costs, and end-of-round corporate effects come into play. At the end of the three rounds, the final scoring reveals who was the most astute space strategist!
GALLERY
12 photos · from the community
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
In English
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Shackleton Base - How to Play - Including All Corporation Variations.
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Shackleton Base - Tutorial & Playthrough
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How to Fit the Shackleton Base Expansion in One Box | Table Scraps
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Shackleton Base: a Beginner's Strategy Guide
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Shackleton Base - Solo Playthrough
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How to Play Shackleton Base in 31 Minutes (with corporations)
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Shackleton Base: Below. Within. Above. Expansion | Solo Board Game Tutorial and Playthrough
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Shackleton Base Board Game | Let's Learn How to Play Solo | THE LEARNING GAME
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Shackleton Base How to Play with Expansion
1
OK
2
REC
3
BEST
4
BEST
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Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Sorry We Are French, 4GAMES, Arrakis Games, Engames, Galakta, Ghenos Games, Giant Roc, Hachette Boardgames UK, Happy Baobab, Pandasaurus Games, YOKA Games
Designer
Fabio Lopiano, Nestore Mangone
Artist
David Sitbon
What is the average playtime for Shackleton Base?
A game typically takes between 60 to 120 minutes, depending on the number of players and their familiarity with the game. It's good to set aside some time for this lunar journey!
How many players can play Shackleton Base?
The game is designed for 1 to 4 players, making it great for both solo sessions and small groups looking for a more strategic experience.
What is the complexity level of Shackleton Base?
It's considered a medium-heavy weight game (3.93/5 on BGG). It has robust rules and many strategic decisions, ideal for those who already have some experience with more elaborate board games.
What makes Shackleton Base different from other worker placement games?
The big differentiator is the variable corporations mechanic. In each game, three of the seven corporations are chosen, altering actions, projects, and scoring methods, which ensures huge replayability and always new strategies.
Does Shackleton Base have a lot of language dependency?
Although there is some text on project and corporation cards, it is considered to have low language dependency. With a few plays, symbols and effects become easily memorized, and the main rules are very visual.
Who is Shackleton Base most recommended for?
It's perfect for fans of strategic euro games who love sci-fi themes and space exploration. If you enjoy action optimization, long-term planning, and the feeling of building something, you'll feel right at home on the Moon!