"Astral War" Game Review

Astral War
Game Review
by Jethro Loreto A. Azores


Astral War is an area control board game made by Synergy Games. The story behind the game is simple: there are two races, humans and aliens, that are harvesting asteroids to have advantages and eventually conquer their opposing race. Whoever transfers a higher amount of resource on an opposing team's main base will win the entire game. It is a simple game, yet you need to think and strategize to win. In my opinion, it is a fresh take on the area control and worker placement genre.

Let's first talk about its mechanics. The mechanics are very simple: take down areas and if you have more areas, the more resources you have. It is a unique execution in a way that having more areas on the game doesn't mean you can easily win. Sure, it can be an advantage, but you still have to make the right moves and choices, making it a mind battle. You also have the choice to transfer the resources, the minerals you harvest, from one place to another. I can safely say that this game is bringing a refreshing take on the area control / worker placement genres.

Next is its game components. Let me be clear that the game is in its development stage, so the game's components still might not be that pretty. The components consist of race flags, minerals, game map and spacecrafts. The game pieces are simple, and have nothing special to bring on the table, to be quite frank. The game pieces does not really immerse you in its great theme, which is a necessity for every board game. I hope they make more appealing game pieces on their next prototype.

Lastly, we'll be talking about its theme. I think the game's "spage age" atmosphere is a cool and interesting idea. I've only seen this theme in a 4X board game, namely Eclipse, but in an area control game? I think this one is a first. A war against humans and aliens in a world with post-modern technology is a theme that I will personally love, and this board game has it. As a science fiction fanatic, I genuinely enjoy and respect its theme. It has that Starcraft feel that I really love and I am thankful for the game's creators for choosing this kind of theme for their first game.

As a whole, I had fun playing this game. Mechanics-wise and theme-wise, it is great. The only gripe I've seen in this game is its game components. I think they'll still improve on that aspect since the game is currently still in development. I highly recommend that you buy this game once it comes out on game stores near you. You will have a fun time, and will probably enjoy winning against your friend. I will give this 4 stars!

For more information about the game's story and mechanics, visit their website.