The universe is organized into many federations which trade, intrigue, develop… One of these federations, still not fully developed yet (5 member planets so far) wants a new delegation to join them, but you are not the only one having your sights set on the federation. The Federation challenges you to prove your worth for 5 years. During these 5 years, you must develop strategies, deploy tactics, take the best opportunities but also form the right alliances at the right time… In the end, only 1 delegation will be chosen: the one with the most prestige!
Federation is an interactive Eurogame with innovative double-sided worker placement mechanic..
Federation is played over 5 rounds. Each round is divided into 2 main steps. The first step is player turns where each player plays an Ambassador's pawn and send a spaceship on a special mission. Once all players have completed their turn, the Executive Phase starts, where players receive their income, fund Major Projects and pass laws.
At the end of the 5th round, the game ends. The Player with the most prestige points wins the game and joins the Federation. In case of a tie, the victory is shared.
Your individual board is composed of the 5 federated actions, 1 spy action, some senate actions and some special senate actions giving prestige points.
—description from the publisher
- Love the game
- Expansion adds substantial new content
- Complex expansion material
- Large expansion that needs to be learned separately
- Galactic civilization building
- Space
- Strategic
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- To me, the fun of Monopoly isn't really in playing it. Once you open a box, you lose about 90% of its value.
- The guy has something he's passionate about.
- That made me happy seeing that. I completely forgot about Quake till I saw this.
- Game fountain's killing it.
- I would play it again with this. That's one that stuck with me.
- If I'm going to be a dinosaur and go head-to-head with other dinosaurs, I'm kind of in on that game.
- The fact that this company can continue to thrive by producing new versions of it. Why wouldn't they?
- I hate this one particular. I think it looks terrible. I would never want to play this game.
- No Thanks is one of the best card games I think ever made.
- Do you have enough Wingspan? No. No one does.
- I love stuff like that.
- I really do love Federation.
- Trading card game mechanisms such as those referred to in the law are not subject to needless legal actions.
- Eat first, die last.
- Winners don't quit, Tom.
References (from this video)
- Rich middle game with multiple mini-games that reinforce core systems
- Accessible base with a clear path for expansion integration
- Solid core loop that invites repeated plays and strategic depth
- Expansion changes are not dramatic but add depth, which may be subtle for some players
- Balancing can depend on player count and group dynamics
- Economic resource management, worker-placement, and majority control
- Spacefaring federation politics and economy within a shared galactic realm
- Procedural, multi-layered with modular mini-games
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — Active choice to perform a range of actions across the board, driving tempo.
- Area majority / voting on roles — Compete for majority in different roles, influencing project funding and outcomes.
- Project funding and progression — Funding major projects drives scoring and end-game conditions.
- worker placement — Place workers on action spaces to gain resources, influence, and progress toward projects.
Video topics + discussion points
Quotes (from this video)
- Federation is almost a perfect game for me.
- it's not a huge change to the game
- I feel like this is a should get
- Expansion adds enough things without overhauling the core experience