Subastral
- Players
- 2-5
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 3 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 30 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.6 / 5
- Year
- 2021
About the game
Subastral is a strategic card game about cataloguing Earth's diverse biomes, from subtropical desert to arctic tundra, illustrated by acclaimed artist Beth Sobel. On your turn you play a numbered biome card onto a matching cloud, then choose to draw from the deck side for more cards or collect toward the sun side to build your personal "journal" collection. Careful sequencing determines which biomes end up worth the most, since your last-collected types score highest, while set-building along the way earns additional points. The push-and-pull between refreshing your hand and banking cards creates tense decision-making despite the light rules. It's a quick, elegant set-collection game for 2-5 players.
Hobbli's Notes
Subastral pairs a clever risk/reward drafting mechanism with gorgeous nature-themed art, making it a standout in the light card-game category. The tension between refreshing your hand and banking cards toward your journal gives it surprising depth for a 30-minute game. Its relatively low complexity and quick playtime make it an easy teach, while the scoring twist rewarding late-collected biomes rewards planning ahead. A lovely, thoughtful filler for groups who enjoy nature themes and elegant set collection.
What we like
- Elegant push-your-luck drafting creates meaningful decisions in a short playtime.
- Beautiful nature-themed artwork by Beth Sobel enhances the experience.
- Scoring twist rewarding late-collected biomes adds strategic depth.
- Easy to teach and quick to play at around 30 minutes.
Keep in mind
- Card luck in the shared clouds can affect available options.
- Low player interaction beyond competing for the same cloud cards.
- Scoring rules may need a round or two to fully click for new players.
Who it's for
Fans of light-to-medium set-collection card games ages 8-10 and up, works well for game nights of 2-5 players.
