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Description
Last Light is a fast-paced 4x game with 3D planets and a rotating board in which players playing asymmetrical alien factions simultaneously gather light right before the heat death of the universe.
Each turn, players select an action card, then all players take their actions simultaneously, exploring planets, mining for resources, gaining new technologies, and commanding fleets all while racing to the center of a rotating board to the last known white dwarf star to gather light for their civilization to survive.
The first player to gather 20 light has what they need to overcome their rivals and lay claim to the last light in the universe and win!
Year Published
2023
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 9
This page: 9
Sentiment:
pos 6 ·
mix 2 ·
neu 1 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–9 of 9
Video 5RSsQxxTylM
Our Family Plays Games general_discussion at 26:02 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13648 · mention_pk 39888
Click to watch at 26:02 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
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)
- we had a wonderful friendsgiving with some wonderful friends
- this is one of my favorite conventions to attend
- we had a big huge table of 10 eating at Papados
- we are going to have our ugly Christmas sweater episode again
- one of the highlights of the convention was meeting the designers
- Alan Moon was so nice, down to earth
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video KECwj23jMDo
Three Minute Board Game Patrons game_review at 0:00 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 13172 · mention_pk 38523
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- Very fast pace for a space 4X, thanks to simultaneous resolution and streamlined combat
- Rotating board creates dynamic, inclusive conflict that involves more players beyond immediate neighbors
- Home base immunity from attack helps retain player engagement and maintains group participation
- Strong visual presentation and marble planet components enhance thematic immersion
- High player interaction and quick turns make it approachable for casual and mid-core groups
Cons
- Theme and in-game rationale for conflict feel nonsensical at times, which undercuts decision-making
- Win condition to reach 20 light can lead to abrupt climaxes once points spike via a single round
- If the game accelerates toward endgame, players may feel little ability to counter already-accumulated points
Thematic elements
- Survival and strategic competition for scarce light resources across a shrinking galactic order
- Space, far future; end of the universe; civilization attempting to endure amidst dwindling light
- Abstract space opera with occasional sci-fi flavor
Comparison games
- Empires of the Void 2
- Kemet Last Light
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — Each turn a player secretly selects an action card to play; all players reveal simultaneously except the command card which resolves last.
- Area Control — Control of planets yields resources and light, driving competition for strategic positions on the board.
- combat with dice — Combat uses dice with results modified by ship size and tech cards; only the active attacker initiates combat each round.
- Construction and expansion — Construct lets you build ships and installations; expansion drives tempo and control of resources.
- deck-based actions — Players start with a deck of six action cards; cards are drawn and discarded, with a refresh mechanic returning discarded cards to hand later.
- Resource management — Three resource types and card play cost resources to gain cards, ships, and sustained effects.
- Rotating board interaction — Board rotates at round ends, integrating non-adjacent conflict and changing strategic equities mid-game.
- Simultaneous resolution — Most actions resolve at the same time, reducing downtime and speeding up play compared to turn-by-turn resolutions.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Last Light claims to be an epic space 4X game with a super quick play time for that genre.
- The rotating board is a little bit of secret sauce for the game as it puts you into conflict with everyone, not just the player on your left and right.
- The best thing about this game is the simultaneous turns. It cuts the game time in half.
- However, the theme and rationale for the game's conflict is one of the most nonsensical things I've ever seen in a game, and it undercuts every decision in the game for me.
- It's just like Icarus.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Ma-wmXSporE
Unknown Channel game_review at 0:00 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 12300 · mention_pk 35880
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- board rotation reduces micromanagement of movement
- simple action selection that expands via technology and ship upgrades
- beautiful marble planets and components add thematic flair
- easy to teach, scalable to up to six players
Cons
- often longer than advertised (not reliably 1-1.5 hours; 2.5 hours with four players in sample play)
- simultaneous action selection is poorly implemented in practice, causing chaos and confusion
- tech card draw is highly random; offers could be displayed to shape strategy
- expansion box and costs seem overpriced relative to base game
- color readability of marbles can be ambiguous
Thematic elements
- Space empire building, exploration, and conquest
- Galactic sci-fi setting with rotating board and planetary hubs; interstellar factions
- Fluent, tactical space opera with economy and combat focus
Comparison games
- Twilight Imperium Fourth Edition
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action selection — Players play one face-down action card per turn and resolve it; six actions exist (research, mine, construct, trade, refresh, command)
- board rotation — The central board rotates at round ends, changing positions, routes, and strategic options
- combat resolution — Ships roll dice based on size; damage is applied to fleets with enforcement of bombardment rules; defeated ships go to graveyard
- End-game scoring — Players strive to accumulate light; end-game triggers and planetary achievements provide scoring avenues
- Resource extraction — Extractors gather resources from planets and from faction boards; used for paying costs and scoring
- Technology and upgrades — Technology cards provide civilization, ship ability, and ship mod upgrades; some cards are permanent or one-use per turn
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the board rotation means that you don't really have to worry about movement too much
- the simultaneous action selection simply doesn't work in the rule book
- Yes only just Last Light is worth your time
- it's relatively easy to teach and play albeit with some obscure rules that do need a quite lengthy FAQ
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video jugOgD17cXA
Dice Tower top_100_list at 46:23 sentiment: positive
video_pk 12365 · mention_pk 36089
Click to watch at 46:23 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- fast-paced for a space epic; engaging card play
Cons
- higher complexity for new players
Thematic elements
- 4X-like exploration and conquest
- epic space conquest; fleet management
- simultaneous turns; card-driven play
Comparison games
- Twilight Imperium (miniature comparison)
- Aquatica
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Card play system — cards drive actions and interactions similar to Aquatica/Concordia hybrids
- simultaneous turns — players act in parallel; drafting and fleet moves drive momentum
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Number 50 for me is a Vital Lerta game. A big cool thematic experience about what happens after a heist. This is Escape Plan.
- Invincible is my number 50.
- San Juan's one of my favorites; I love how those buildings synergize with crops and selling them.
- Spectral is one of those deduction games where you're just trying to avoid the curse and getting gems out there.
- This is one of those classic polyomino games. My favorite in the genre. This is Baron Park.
- Twilight Inscription is infinitely expandable.
- Adrenaline is a bit of everything: euro, shooter vibe, and tense last-hits moments.
- Robinson Crusoe—cooperative survival with fantastic stories.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video irqRVyb-TFo
Watch It Played top_10_list at 2:07 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11462 · mention_pk 33700
Click to watch at 2:07 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Can be played in one hour (unusual for 4X games)
- Designed by Roy Canaday from The Dice Tower
- Prototype seen at The Dice Tower Cruise 2020
- Positive reception from other players
- Cool planet pieces
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- space_exploration
- planet_building
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
No quotes stored for this video.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Q-v8QNJzjnE
Unknown top_10_list at 5:13 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8176 · mention_pk 24023
Click to watch at 5:13 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong space-game appeal
- Short-to-medium play length depending on design
Cons
- Details not fully disclosed in transcript
Thematic elements
- Expanding and exploiting a space frontier
- Space-themed 4X adventure
- Epic, exploratory, in-space expansion
Comparison games
- 4X space games
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- 4X (expand, explore, exterminate, exploit) — Classic 4X action with space opera flavor.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- we have only 20 minutes to research and buy games
- you will be able to write in the comments which game we should buy
- it's accessible and not that expensive
- it looks like a lot of fun
- real time betting
- it's a betting game where the horses run and you're betting in real time
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video PySjjnkjfWM
Dice Tower general_discussion at 1:52 sentiment: neutral
video_pk 6507 · mention_pk 19304
Click to watch at 1:52 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
neutral
Pros
none
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Post-apocalyptic space
- Space science fiction
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
Mechanics unknown.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is easily on this shelf. The most checked out game. Wonderlands War I see played every time.
- Foundations of Rome despite how big this game is. It gets checked out all the time.
- Everyone's really upset with Grimlord Games cuz they never delivered their last Kickstarter, but another company has picked it up.
- I don't I still don't understand why companies can't put names on the sides of their boxes. Come on now.
- Frostpunk, the board game if you're ready to have a depressing day.
- I think Mosaic is a fantastic civilization game. So fast and easy to play.
- People love Smashup. I have almost everything for Smashup, but it just barely gets played.
- Probably Twilight Imperium is my favorite of all these here, even though I don't play it that much.
- Last Kingdom is a kind of a really fun game from Games based on said TV series. Uh but pretty good. Think Game of Thrones style.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video i4w348kAtXs
Our Family Plays Games general_discussion at 21:59 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5434 · mention_pk 16184
Click to watch at 21:59 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Provides a scalable 4X feel without the time sink
- Good teaching and pacing when demonstrated by Roy from the Dice Tower
- Visually engaging with clear table presence
Cons
- Rule complexity can be challenging for new players
- Possibly long playtime for a full session
Thematic elements
- 4X style exploration and expansion
- Futuristic space setting with a survival/empire-building flavor
- story-light, mechanics-driven
Comparison games
- Twilight Imperium
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- 4X framework — Explore, Expand, Exploit, and Exterminate in a compact, action-driven format
- deck-building — Players acquire and utilize a personal action deck to perform moves
- tile/area placement — Tiles or board areas are claimed to form territories or routes
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Vegas is gonna take your money sometimes
- Omega Mart you gotta go
- we are finishing up the pledge manager we are hoping to have it done next week
- it's a mountain of games
- we had a three hour Cascadia marathon in Las Vegas
- we want to see you there in 2024
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video bbtL6RZr9dQ
Dice Tower top_10_list at 5:26 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4659 · mention_pk 13622
Click to watch at 5:26 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- fun, light 4X that plays in about 1.5–2 hours
- easy to table for mixed groups
Cons
- not a deep 4X; some players may want more depth
Thematic elements
Comparison games
- Twilight Imperium Fourth Edition
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- 4X mechanics — A light, expedited 4X experience with exploration, expansion, and tactical choices that play quickly.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Every facilitator should own these game(s).
- Just One is a great little fun party game and it's just enjoyable.
- No Thanks is a fantastic game.
- Cascadia really is a game that everybody should own.
- Welcome to the Moon. It really is a great game.
- King of Tokyo Dark Edition... It's better for larger groups.
- Final Girl... you just buy a core box and a couple of the film boxes and you've got a complete game.
- Teleustrations is a great game and everybody should have it on their shelves.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–9 of 9