Released in 2019 by Goliath Games, The Artemis Project is a dice‑centric, bidding and engine‑building game set on Europa, Saturn’s icy moon. The goal is to turn the frozen surface into a sustainable habitat by colonizing the sub‑glacial caverns and harvesting minerals, energy, and biological resources.

The board is modular, made of hexes that represent caverns, underwater rivers, and mining zones. Each game starts with a variable setup: the placement of caverns, the amount of available resources, and the initial worker distribution. This variability ensures that no two games are identical, keeping replayability high.

Players take on the roles of four types of colonists – Pioneers, Engineers, Marines, and Administrators – each with distinct abilities. To progress, you place colored dice on board spaces. The dice’s position determines the action: mining, research, construction, or defense. The “Worker Placement with Dice” mechanic forces you to predict which dice will roll and where they can be used, blending placement strategy with dice randomness.

Beyond worker placement, there are building auctions. Each building offers production bonuses, storage capacity, or access to new technologies. Players bid using production points, creating tension and investment decisions. Collecting sets of resources – minerals, energy, and biomes – is essential to complete construction cards that unlock technological advancements.

The game also features an expedition phase. Once the sub‑aquatic base is stable, players can send teams to explore deeper caverns. Expeditions are resolved with dice rolls and can yield treasures, scientific discoveries, or even threats from hostile sea creatures. Managing the risk of these expeditions is part of the strategy.

With 200 colored dice, colonist tokens, construction cards, and a detailed rulebook, The Artemis Project delivers a rich experience of dice, economy, and tension. If you enjoy games that demand careful planning, negotiation, and a dash of randomness, this title will keep you entertained for hours.