Star Trek: Frontiers

Star Trek: Frontiers

Licensed / AdaptedScience FictionSpace Exploration
Players
1-4
Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
1 player
Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
240 min
AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
14+
ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
4.4 / 5
Year
2016

About the game

Star Trek: Frontiers transplants the acclaimed Mage Knight system into the Star Trek universe, sending players to command a starship exploring a contested, wormhole-linked region of space. You'll recruit crew, earn experience, and use the venture-tile map system to uncover hidden mysteries and confront hostile factions. The game supports competitive exploration, full cooperative missions, and dedicated solo scenarios, making it flexible for any group size from one to four. Deep deckbuilding and card-driven actions let you customize your ship's approach to combat, exploration, and diplomacy. It's a lengthy, richly thematic sandbox for Star Trek fans who want a substantial strategic challenge.

Hobbli's Notes

Hobbli's team sees Star Trek: Frontiers as one of the most ambitious licensed board games available, carrying over the beloved depth of Mage Knight into a beloved sci-fi universe. The open-ended map exploration and card-driven action system reward careful planning turn after turn. Its four-hour playtime and heavy complexity make it a serious commitment best suited to dedicated strategy gamers. Fans of the Mage Knight system will feel right at home, while newcomers should expect a steep learning curve.

What we like

  • Deep, flexible sandbox supporting solo, co-op, and competitive play.
  • Rich Star Trek theme layered onto a proven Mage Knight system.
  • Card-driven actions offer huge strategic variety.
  • Very low downtime thanks to a well-paced turn structure.

Keep in mind

  • Very long playtime and high complexity demand serious commitment.
  • Steep learning curve for players new to Mage Knight-style games.
  • Licensed components may feel less durable than a full retail release.

Who it's for

Best for experienced strategy gamers and Star Trek fans (14+) who want a lengthy, complex exploration game, playable solo or with up to 4 players.

Mechanics

Cooperative GameDeck / Bag BuildingGrid / MapModular BoardMulti-Use CardsSolo / Solitaire GameTile PlacementVariable Player Powers

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