The following review is based on the experience of a single completed campaign. We have no intention of starting more, after months dedicated to a single game. The photos show materials from the KS version in English, in our Store you can find the definitive Reatail version in ITALIAN ; the basic box contains only the character miniatures and a few three-dimensional elements.

The Vanguard and its Sections

Players, aware of facing a long campaign that will keep them away from Earth for months, will divide the management of the four sections of the ship's crew: Security, Scientific, Technical and Exploration. Despite having an epic narrative background with characters that improve over time, we will not manage individual members of the crew, but the entire team recruited during the campaign, each with their own specific skills and affinities. The crew can end up in the hospital, die, stay on board to manage the ship or be sent to alien planets or mysterious astral bodies.

The Mysteries of Deep Space

As in every Star Trek episode, players must find a mysterious place to land to investigate. There will always be four members disembarking: a security officer, a science officer, a technician and the captain. Teleportation is not available, so you land with a shuttle, facing various atmospheric challenges. Once you land, the mission to be accomplished is described in detail in a spiral book, with various cards and decks of materials to manage.

The Missions

Ground missions take place in several connected locations, offering special actions to gain resources or advance the plot. The graphic representation is abstract but offers many narrative possibilities, with cards that adapt to the results of the actions taken.

Heroes and their Improvement

During missions, crew members can improve their rank by accumulating success points. Higher ranks allow for more dice and better cards. Special dice represent both energy and knowledge, with each section having different colored dice.

The Ship Phase

Between missions, you manage the ship, spending command points for various activities. This phase is very important and requires attention. You get "discoveries" by exploring planets, useful for improving the ship and equipment. You spend command points to solve problems, recruit new members and produce improvements.

The Long Campaign

The campaign pushes players to continue along the planned events, but after a while it becomes repetitive. The ship phase is reduced to recruiting new members and not always significant improvements are achieved. The missions remain interesting, but the management of the ship is not fully satisfying.

Conclusion

ISS Vanguard offers a unique experience, with challenging missions and an engaging storyline. Pre-order your copy now on the BoardHouse Store!