New Frontiers
- Players
- 2-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 4 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 75 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.0 / 5
- Year
- 2018
About the game
New Frontiers is a standalone game in the Race for the Galaxy family, tasking players with building galactic empires by selecting shared actions that everyone can perform, though only the selecting player gains its bonus. Developments are determined during setup, letting players plan strategically before play begins, while worlds pulled from a bag can require colonists, payment, or conquest to settle. Goods can be traded for credits or consumed for victory points, and the game ends once one of several end conditions is triggered. With clearer iconography than its predecessor, it's an accessible entry point into engine-building space exploration for 2-5 players.
Hobbli's Notes
New Frontiers streamlines the beloved Race for the Galaxy system into something a bit more approachable, while keeping its satisfying role-selection engine intact. The clearer iconography helps a lot for newcomers, though there's still a bit of a learning curve before the full strategic picture comes into focus.
What we like
- An accessible entry point into the beloved Race for the Galaxy system.
- A satisfying role-selection engine rewards strategic planning.
- Good replayability thanks to randomized development setups.
- Clearer iconography than its card-game predecessor.
Keep in mind
- Some downtime while waiting for others to resolve actions.
- Can feel thematically dry despite the space exploration setting.
- Learning the icon-heavy system takes a game or two to master.
Who it's for
Euro gamers who enjoy engine-building and drafting in a space exploration theme; supports 2-5 players.
