Race for The Galaxy: Alien Artifacts

I was really excited to try this expansion, as Race for the Galaxy is one of my husbands and my favorite games to play together. We play the game a lot, so I was excited that this would be a bit of a refresh for us, jettisoning the other expansions weve accumulated so far and injecting some new elements of gameplay. Unfortunately, we found the new elements to be confusing/overly complicated, and more importantly, unnecessary for winning the game. It was easy to ignore the new elements and play the game as if it were still just the base set. Im sure some players have gotten this expansion really figured out and can do cool things with it, but adding it in has made us less likely to play the game. I definitely prefer The Gathering Storm expansion to this one.

My three oldest children, aged 12.5, almost 10, and 8 as of 06/2014 love Race for the Galaxy (as well as other nerd games). In this age of iPads, games on phones, and overall inundation with electronic devices, I insist on myelinating their neurons with games that are hard to learn and harder to master - theyve done a fine job, and Race for the Galaxy is definitely in my Top 10 of hard games that make one think. This expansion does the game justice, and adds even more difficulty and interest to an already solid game.

Nice

As with all the expansions to the base game that have added unnecessary complexity to an already complex but well built game I only used the cards from this expansion. I suppose some day I might learn the exploring the Alien sphere part of the game that adds wooden bits to a card game but Im content with the new start worlds and the added cards. To those who say its not compatible with the first three expansions I say phooey. Sure its illogical that they labeled the new start worlds with numbers they already used in previous expansions but that hasnt stopped me from adding them into the mix. Its not that hard to remove select cards that either score or interact with the orb. Just as ive done in other expansion to remove elements of the game that were added that didnt interest me.

Race For The Galaxy expansions are weird. Instead of adding different card combinations or maybe another set of planet types... they decide to add crazy mechanics with each expansion. This expansion is about doing missions and although I havent played the expansion yet... it seems to be completely different experience than the original Race concept. Each expansion focuses on adding new mechanics that seem to take away from the base games fun and originality. I bought this expansion for the cards. It came with a 6th player orange set of cards. It also came with a lot of starting planets and other game cards. They can be used in the vanilla version of Race... which is awesome.

Alien Artifacts is a decent expansion, but apparently doesnt play well with the other expansions for the game. If you are just looking for more cards for your RftG deck, this might be what you are looking for with 46 new cards. Added to this expansion is another mini-game that can go along with the main game. You will have meeples exploring an Alien Orb. What they find will add to your score and abilities in the main game. Many dont like this however as it lengthens the game and can tip the balance out of whack. If you explore the most, you will usually win the game. It takes away from the quick paced card game and adds a layer many dont like. But ...its optional, so having it isnt a game breaker. The cards for the main game are good, with a couple that might be a little over powered. But without the Orb game Alien Artifacts adds the most cards without adding more mechanics to the game like some of the other expansions.

This and the base set of Race for the Galaxy is an incredible game. It will provide you hours of enjoyment. You will become addicted. Fantastic 2 player game. My wife and I love it. No smashing the other player. Interesting and tactical.

This expansion can only be used with the base game. It is not compatable with expansions 1, 2, & 3. There is also a secondary board/card game in this expansion that bogs down the quick game-play of the normal game flow otherwise. As a stand alone expansion with the base game it is fine and should be added to the collection.

This expansion is great! You dont have to play with the orb if you dont want to. Why is everyone bashing this so much just because it comes with a game play mode you DONT HAVE TO PLAY? The cards that come with Alien Artifacts are great! The expansion is a good buy just to get the new cards and have them to play with. I honestly cant understand how anyone give this one star if they new anything about the game because the cards are good enough by themselves... In fact I think three star reviews are already showing a jaded bias. The expansion deserves at least four stars. I am giving it five to offset the ninny who rated it one star and because I LOVE the cards included. Sure I am not going to use the orb, but hell I dont use half the stuff in the other expansions either.

Im not impressed with the Alien Maze component but if you ignore that part you can use the additional cards with the base set and any of the other expansions.