Race for the Galaxy 9+

I have just picked this up for the first time after seeing so many positive reviews on board game forums, including boardgamegeeks where it is ranked highly, and am glad I have finally been able to play this amazing game. It is a very deep and tactical game and is a complete port from a classic physical board game, including promo cards, which was released in 2007. Race has been around over 14 years and it is still popular today.

The digital version handles all of the housekeeping and provides written references next to the iconography on each card which significantly reduces the learning curve when compared to the physical game. This allows new players to get into the meat of the game much faster without first having to get their head around the iconography which overcomes one of the main gripes new players have learning the physical.

The mobile version is an excellent version as each game is relatively short and can be played in short bursts. Also the AI is very strong and its fun to play against because there is a lot to learn by watching how it plays. I can’t recommend this game enough and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys deep and tactical 1v1 games with minimal luck and maximum skill?

This is an amazing board/card game I’ve played over the years and come back to once again just recently.

It offers very tight and tactically deep gameplay of card/deck management where you have to tactically make hard decisions with regards to which cards to play and which to discard as payment for your paid cards. There is a good depth of asymmetry between the different ways of winning (production, military, developments), and there really is a sense of a “Race” to play optimally to squeeze out a win. You need to observe what your opponent is doing and adjust and take action accordingly. Not many board games offer this depth.

The app implementation is solid.

Brilliant game. My only wishes are that it were updated for latest device screen sizes (currently letterboxed), and the more expansions were included. Unfortunately with how long this has been available, I expect that will never happen.

Regardless, simply awesome game.

I hope this game and Roll for the Galaxy get all the expansions.

Race for the Galaxy is a souped up, sci-fi themed variant around San Juan (and both are descendants of Puerto Rico): this immediately suggests a certain Euro style. All three titles are now good iOS apps and should tempt the odd casual gamer too. Better games (in my opinion) are quite different in structure.

I can’t speak to online (yet) but I like the app enough in solo. It’s a quick diversion and no brain burn. It also has excellent production values that justify the slight price premium.