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Celestia

Game ID: GID0063505
Collection Status
Description

In Celestia, a revamped version of Cloud 9, you board an aircraft with a team of adventurers to perform many trips through the cities of Celestia and recover their wonderful treasures. Your journey will not be safe, but you will attempt to be the richest adventurer by collecting the most precious treasures!

At the beginning of a journey, all players place their pawns within the aircraft; the players start the game with six cards in hand (or eight depending on the number of players). At the beginning of each round, one player is chosen to be the captain of the trip and he rolls 2-4 dice to discover the challenges that they will face: fog, lightning bolts, killer birds, or pirates. He must then play the appropriate cards — a compass, a lightning arrester, a foghorn, or even cannons — to continue on the journey and reach the next city. But before the captain plays the appropriate cards, each player must decide whether to stay within the aircraft:

If you exit, you're guaranteed the victory points that come from exploring the current city.
If you stay on board, you hope to make it to the next city in order to catch more precious treasures. If the captain can't overcome the challenge, though, everyone comes crashing down empty-handed and you'll need to begin a new trip with all passengers on board.

During the journey, each adventurer can try to pull out of the game with fabulous objects (a jetpack, astronomy glasses, etc.) or by changing the trip (modifying the travel or abandoning an explorer in the city). As soon as a player earns treasure worth at least fifty points, the game ends and this player wins.

Year Published
2015
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 16
This page: 16
Sentiment: pos 13 · mix 0 · neu 1 · neg 1
Mentions per page
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Showing 1–16 of 16
Video yyh3AEk4Jvg Adam Porter's Board Game Channel top_10_list at 0:10 sentiment: negative
video_pk 12868 · mention_pk 37613
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Overall sentiment (raw)
negative
Pros
  • beautiful cardboard airship
  • push your luck is reviewer's favorite genre
Cons
  • small decision space
  • feels like guessing
  • reviewer never understood the game
  • didn't work for reviewer
Thematic elements
  • airship
  • adventure
  • push your luck
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • these games have amazing table presence by which i mean people are going to glance across the room and go what is that person playing and i want to play all these games
  • stacking games have table presence like nothing else
  • looks beautiful it looks like a load of sweets on the board
  • one of my favorite games of all time
  • i don't like that sort of game i find that one of the most frustrating game mechanisms
  • the central marble dispenser is your main draw in this game
  • absolutely brilliant strategic game quite complex game
  • it's actually my favorite of the mask trilogy
  • i'm almost scared to say this but i don't really like azul very much
  • biggest most overlooked game on this list
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video mjFpucUhANQ Actual L general_discussion at 23:42
video_pk 9401 · mention_pk 27767
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Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • It's incredibly exhausting and in terms of buying games well that's what Essen is designed for
  • I had an amazing time at Essen Spiel and I've spent this entire week since thinking about how I'm going to do it better next year
  • the atmosphere is what you go for
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video AC0OZsvhWXg Foster the Meepolo top_10_list at 8:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8303 · mention_pk 24350
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Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Sounds really cool
  • Want to play
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Push your luck
  • Sky adventure
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Push Your Luck — Players take turns as pilot and press their luck to win the greatest treasures
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • We love trick taking games
  • This game is so much freaking fun
  • I adore GMT games, they are becoming one of my favorite game publishers
  • If you remember Vast Crystal Caverns is in my top five games of all time
  • We bloody love it
  • We can't stop playing
  • It's a blimp game not a train game
  • That's just work
  • I don't think I want to play it
  • I'll get it eventually
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video pK74Huu6Ovs Dice Tower game_review at 1:31 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8174 · mention_pk 23993
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Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • A lot of fun
  • Reprint of Cloud 9 game
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Cloud/airship
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Push Your Luck — Will you jump off the blimp or pilot it to its doom
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • man, I I I love this game
  • I don't know what happened here. This game has been universally scorned
  • It's a fantastic experiment from Freriedman Freeze, but I don't want to buy a game where a lot of the games aren't that great
  • robots versus ducks. You know, the never-ending war
  • This is fantastic a game, but I think it's fundamentally broken
  • I really want to like this game
  • One of the creepiest covers of all time. The animals are staring into your soul
  • definitely for me one of the best of the Uve Rosenberg tile laying games
  • I hate. I really do hate this game
  • It's a really funny little game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video hD49Iy9qfcM Actual Ol Anjaan Purchase top_50_list at 3:52 sentiment: positive
video_pk 7654 · mention_pk 22649
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Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • captain dynamic adds tension
  • interesting bluffing interplay
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • bluffing and captain-led exploration
  • Airship voyage through the clouds
  • bluff-driven push-your-luck with hidden captain
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • bluffing — players bluff about their hand to influence others
  • hand management — cards are used to address ship hazards
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • there are many different paths to happiness and nothing's necessarily the right or wrong answer
  • the dice are weighted towards being negative
  • this game tells a story unlike any other board game I've ever played
  • you can't talk to each other during this game
  • it's a simple clean auction game which you just come to expect from Ronnie comitia
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video LlIcmrWyXVk Actual L top_10_list at 13:25 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6988 · mention_pk 20676
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Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • great social game
  • engages players in bluffing
  • beautiful components
Cons
  • learning curve for new players
Thematic elements
  • bluffing, social interaction
  • airship voyage among the clouds
  • story-driven bluffing
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Bluffing and social deduction — Players bluff about their routes and intentions to reach destination.
  • Card-driven movement — The cards determine ship actions and movement.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • I'm John Perkus thanks for watching and Merry Christmas
  • Beasts of Balance this game will Captivate you
  • The 3D ship brings you into the story of the game
  • pandemic Iberia gives you the feeling of being a hero trying to save the world in a Race Against Time
  • Code Names Pictures is the perfect gift to buy yourself keep your family entertained and have them arguing over Clues instead of politics
  • Sushi go party is a great gift because it's incredibly cute it's a really enjoyable game that's quick to pick up and different every time you play it
  • Dream Home is the perfect gift for people new to board gaming within minutes you're not just playing you're hooked
  • Celestia is a great game for a friend who would enjoy the bluffing and social aspect
  • Happy Salmon is a wonderful burst of energy competitiveness and excitement
  • I'm actual L on Facebook and Twitter I'm John perkus
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video kBpFaQbEOJg top_10_list at 4:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6827 · mention_pk 20242
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Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • fun filler
  • thematic flair
  • expansions add depth
Cons
  • risky when players overcommit
Thematic elements
  • pushing your luck and collecting treasure
  • airship voyage
  • adventure themed
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Push Your Luck — Roll dice to progress and decide whether to push your luck for better treasure.
  • storytelling via consequences — Players justify purchases and outcomes as the story unfolds.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the Mind by itself is a fantastic game it's so the concept is so cool
  • it's a filler it only takes a couple minutes to play
  • I Lov when we're playing this at a big party
  • the artwork is so cool with all these cats just having a party
  • it's extremely challenging to do well
  • oh my God I fell in love with this game
  • it's nonsense it's yeah it's a great
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 1kWAa1fLsrk Going Analog general_discussion at 8:13 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5335 · mention_pk 15870
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Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • beautiful components
  • fast play
Cons
  • randomness
Thematic elements
  • flight and luck
  • air travel fantasy
  • light, accessible
Comparison games
  • Pan Am
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • bag-building — draw and place pebbles to travel
  • set collection — collect sets for points
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • sanity
  • you are hundred percent in this so far
  • the components are great
  • cloud nine
  • it's an epic, but heavy
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video ufMFfICLRBs No Rosebud playthrough at 0:46 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5162 · mention_pk 15284
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Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Accessible to new players with quick setup and tempo
  • Strong social tension from bluffing and deceptive play
  • Energetic, humorous table dynamics that sustain engagement
Cons
  • Bluffing-heavy play can frustrate players who dislike lying or feel misled
  • Luck of the dice can disproportionately influence outcomes for new players
Thematic elements
  • bluffing, risk management, treasure collection
  • Floating airship voyages through magical cities and skies
  • lighthearted, competitive with improvisational humor
Comparison games
  • Bloods On the Clock Tower
  • Cloud Pirates
  • Thunderbirds
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • bluffing and deception — The captain may lie about their ability to meet a challenge, creating social tension as others decide to stay or jump off.
  • crew / passenger dynamic — Passengers decide whether to stay aboard or jump off, influencing who bears risk and who accrues points.
  • dice roll resolution — The captain rolls a set of dice to determine which colors must be discarded from hand to meet a challenge, affecting ship safety.
  • end-game trigger and scoring — The first player to reach 50 treasure points ends the game; final tallies determine the winner.
  • sabotage and aid cards — Special power cards allow players to help or hinder, including forced re-rolls or other effects.
  • treasure track with escalating values — Treasure cards have increasing value as the journey progresses, guiding risk/reward decisions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Captain can lie about whether or not they can face the challenges
  • First person to pick up 50 points worth of treasure ends the game
  • the captain can never jump off when they still have passengers
  • it's Cut Throat and the tension is real
  • you might lie and say you can't do it to nudge others off the ship
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video oql0oH32z7c Monday Board Gaming playthrough at 3:37 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4961 · mention_pk 14766
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Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Immersive theme and chaotic momentum
  • Vibrant production aesthetics; nice card backs
  • Engaging dynamic of captain decisions and event resolution
Cons
  • Some participants found it chaotic in online play
  • Can be confusing when reading power card effects
Thematic elements
  • Push-your-luck with captain-led decisions and event dice
  • Aboard an airship voyage seeking treasure
  • Story-driven voyage with evolving weather and challenges
Comparison games
  • Spicy
  • Diamond
  • Inking Gold
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • captain_cycle_push_your_luck — The captain leads the group; players vote to continue or abandon the journey; dice determine weather/events.
  • event_resolution — Weather and events resolved by dice, aided by power cards.
  • power_cards — One-use abilities that can aid or sabotage; often race to reach treasure.
  • scoring_and_endgame — Points are earned based on placement and exits; the journey ends when the ship crashes or treasure is claimed.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • this is a bluffing game
  • you could just straight up lie
  • the trophies are worth 10 points
  • the end of the world card
  • in-person is more fun
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 1B6CYgTmI4g John Peris top_10_list at 3:41 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3838 · mention_pk 11279
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Overall sentiment (raw)
very positive
Pros
  • Collective push your luck
  • Bluffing element
  • Creates memorable moments
  • Comes in a small package
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • Push Your Luck with Bluffing
  • Airship in the Clouds
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • bluffing — Players can lie about their ability to save the ship
  • Push Your Luck — Players decide whether to stay on an airship or leave based on potential crash risk
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • These are games that if I found out someone liked them, I'd instantly think they're cool.
  • You feel so smug.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video L24JI9rbSLA Actualol top_10_list at 5:34 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3864 · mention_pk 11332
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Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • excellent for social interaction and webcams
  • fun moments when the ship seems to crash or when others bail
Cons
  • requires webcam and clear communication
  • trust element can be hit-or-miss depending on group
Thematic elements
  • trust, bluffing, and leadership aboard a ship
  • airship voyage between islands
  • bluff-driven crew dynamics; captain’s decisions affect others
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • bluffing / role-claiming — players decide whether to commit to actions and reveal support as the voyage unfolds
  • deck-based action selection — captains' cards determine movement and encounters for the voyage
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • it's free it doesn't need a fancy computer
  • it's a race to get to the top of three parts and when someone finishes one that path is closed
  • perudo is an old classic that still holds up
  • it's a game of survival
  • it's like traversing an IKEA where there's only one of everything
  • six nymph is fast chaotic fun
  • it's every man or woman for themselves at each other's throats
  • Cult Express is a rollicking fun not to be taken seriously
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video JVg_ZIjkUgQ Rolling Dice and Taking Names general_discussion at 3:09 sentiment: positive
video_pk 2315 · mention_pk 6727
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Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • Immersive theme and art
  • Tensionful diceplay adds excitement
Cons
  • Humor and pacing can pull you out of moments
  • Some players may prefer heavier euroweight
Thematic elements
  • Flight, exploration, and danger from monsters
  • Fantasy airship voyage in a mythical world
  • Story-driven ascent with dice-driven outcomes
Comparison games
  • Dungeons & Dragons: Horrified
  • Monstrosity
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Character roles with unique actions — Players assume roles that influence what actions can be taken
  • push-your-luck — Crew decisions and ship progress hinge on dice outcomes and risk
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • This one is short, sweet, and sexy.
  • To me, this is a good, slightly above average movie.
  • We did win our first game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video clQyNf-k-Q4 Tantrum House playthrough at 0:08 sentiment: positive
video_pk 1827 · mention_pk 5269
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Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • reprint of classic game
  • supports 2-6 players
  • plays quickly in 20-30 minutes
  • fun push your luck mechanics
  • interesting special cards and wild cards
Cons
none
Thematic elements
  • airship travel
  • steampunk
  • islands
  • adventure
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • Grab your dice and shuffle your deck. It's game time now.
  • We're playing games with wood and meeples.
  • It's a hit. Everybody enjoys it.
  • Really low entry to rules. Just move and pick and it's fun.
  • I would love to share even more thoughts on it. It's in my top 10 games I've played this year.
  • Don't give candy corn to trick-or-treaters - it's only good as candle jar filler for decorations.
  • This is a set collection game with team-based gameplay.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video UF9Xf3qeCUc Chairman of the Board top_10_list at 8:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 17 · mention_pk 27
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Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
  • beautiful visuals
  • solid push-your-luck/bluffing core
  • high player count suitability
Cons
  • longer than some push-your-luck games
  • can be complex for new players
Thematic elements
  • push-your-luck with bluffing and risk management
  • airship adventure in a rising zeppelin
  • light, social bluffing with high player interaction
Comparison games
  • Quacks of Quedlinburg
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • bluffing — s ways to mislead other players about your intentions
  • hand management — manage a hand of cards to bluff others into staying or jumping
  • push-your-luck — decide how far to push the airship while risking card exhaustion
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • This is probably one of my favorite Uwe Rosenberg games I've played to date.
  • it's a weird one because it's kind of like a full-size game but didn't quite feel like it
  • the rules overhead was quite high in terms of remembering what they do
  • usually trying to build these routes and establish these with blocks and then get the cards
  • it's a pretty much a paint by numbers deck builder game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video UUhCuGCmr4I Adam Porter Board Games analysis at 15:45 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 37 · mention_pk 98
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Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
  • Popular with many players
  • Engaging decisions
Cons
  • Adam couldn't understand the decisions
  • Didn't quite work for him personally
Thematic elements
  • Fantasy travel
  • Airship
  • Light
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
  • Push Your Luck — Continue on airship journey or exit with winnings
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
  • the reason I wanted to talk about this topic was one was because I've just picked up the quacks of qward Lindbergh expansion the herb witches which is a really good expansion just to add some more of the same really more variety to that game which was my favorite game of last year
  • so push your luck or press your luck games as they tend to be called in America
  • it's looking at the odds and trying to make a mathematical decision is it worth me taking this risk or is it not and of course the presence of other people around the table changes that because it's not just about the maths it's also about knowing the psychology of those other people
  • I love all the messin about you doing captain carcass you turn over one card it allows you to do something else and then you can use this special power to do something else
  • the pushier luck stuff is strong in throne that's where the fun in the game is it's recognizing how many does to throw
  • I love this honour of games I wish there were more of them
  • thank you very much for watching I hope this was interesting for you if you enjoyed it please watch some of my other videos on BoardGameGeek I'm Adam 78 on YouTube I'm Adams Borg in wales on twitter i'm at board game wales
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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