Planet Steam
- 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.
- 180 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 14+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.8 / 5
- Year
- 2008
About the game
Planet Steam plunges 2-5 players into a steampunk boomtown racing to harvest steam-powered resources from the core of a distant planet. Players build platforms over shafts, connect purification tanks, and use tank extractors to gather energy, ore, and quartz, then buy and sell these resources on a volatile trading terminal. Specialists can be hired to give an edge, but demand fluctuates constantly. With shrewd resource management and market manipulation, the player who earns the most income wins.
Hobbli's Notes
A rich, cutthroat economic simulation with a genuinely satisfying supply-and-demand market system. It's a serious commitment at three hours and a steep learning curve, but dedicated Euro-gamers will find a lot to love here.
What we like
- Deep resource extraction and market speculation systems.
- Meaningful player interaction through the shared trading terminal.
- Satisfying long-term engine-building progression.
- Distinctive and immersive steampunk setting.
Keep in mind
- Playtime often runs close to three hours.
- Steep rules overhead makes it tough for first-time players.
- Significant downtime can occur between turns.
- Niche appeal mostly limited to heavy Euro-game fans.
Who it's for
Experienced Euro gamers who enjoy economic and market simulation, ages 14 and up, best with 2-5 players for a long game night.
