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SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Tomáš Holek · Czech Games Edition · 2024

Manage a space research agency scanning the cosmos for alien life. Launch probes to star systems, build radio telescopes, and analyze signals while balancing short-term discoveries against long-term scientific programs. The modular board models real astronomical distances, making every launch feel weighty.

Players

1–4

Time

120 min

Ages

14+

Difficulty

Heavy

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Why you'll like it

Exceptionally integrated science theme that feels authentic
Every decision creates meaningful trade-offs
Strong solo mode with dedicated automa
Outstanding component quality and artwork
Massive replay value from modular setup

How it plays

In SETI, each player leads a scientific program searching for life beyond Earth. You launch probes into a rotating solar system, send them into orbit or land them on planets and moons, scan parts of the sky with telescopes, and analyze the data you collect.

Your goal is to find traces of alien life. As players discover signs, alien species are revealed partway through the game, and each one adds new rules and new ways to score. That means the second half of the game can look quite different from the first, and different species show up in different games.

It's a heavy strategy game with lots of moving parts: income, energy, data, publicity and a large deck of project cards. It rewards planning several turns ahead, and many experienced players consider it one of the best recent strategy games.