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Description
It is the year 2849, and humanity has harnessed the power of the pulsars. Now we must find a way to distribute this power throughout the stars.
In this Euro-style game, players explore space, claim pulsars, and discover technologies that will help them build energy-distribution infrastructure on a cosmic scale. Dice are used to purchase actions, and players choose their dice from a communal pool. There are many paths to victory so you can blaze your own trail to a bright future.
Draft dice to explore the universe in Pulsar 2849. Game is only 8 rounds long.
Each round, roll dice based on the number of players, sort them based on their values, then draft dice to take actions.
Possible actions
□ Fly your survey ship
□ take a Gyrodyne
□ Develop a Pulsar
□ Build one or more energy transmitter vectors
□ Patent a technology
□ Buy a dice modifier
□ Complete a special project in your HQ and unlock Gate Run
Players score points each round based on what they've discovered and explored, and everyone has common goals that they want to achieve.
Year Published
2017
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 10
This page: 10
Sentiment:
pos 9 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–10 of 10
Video fMuYodow_mE
Broken Meeple top_10_list at 10:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10739 · mention_pk 31694
Click to watch at 10:16
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- high variety and replayability
- ample strategies and tech options
- engaging endgame tension
Cons
- aesthetic may not attract all players
- potentially weighty for newcomers
Thematic elements
- sci-fi exploration and technological development
- space exploration and city-building across planets
- open-ended exploration with multiple paths to victory
Comparison games
- Gaia Project
- Sid Meier's Civilization: A New Dawn
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice-based action selection — roll dice to perform actions with values tied to die faces
- variable play paths — choose from many strategic routes (tech, HQ, space exploration)
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- nobody wants to play with me
- three hour negotiation game
- it's not the easiest to sell
- it's a pretty sizable box
- this is edge of darkness, a very niche game
- Dream Home is fluffy, light, and pleasant
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video mkIkS0GiwnY
The Broken Meatball top_10_list at 4:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8467 · mention_pk 24896
Click to watch at 4:50
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Smooth and streamlined gameplay
- High replayability with different strategies
- Different technologies and transmitters each game
- Nice colorful aesthetic like a light show
- Good game length around 90 minutes
Cons
- Abstract theme might not appeal to everyone
- Requires learning multiple scoring paths
Thematic elements
- Space exploration and technology
- Space exploration and pulsar discovery
- Abstract with space theme elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Die placement — Place dice to determine manufacturing cubes and turn order
- Point Salad — Multiple paths to scoring points from transmitters, gyrodyne things, technologies, map exploration, Dyson tracks
- Streamlined action system — Clear rules for die placement with no ambiguity
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It's the lower end of middle weight but I still think it's a solid game
- Medium and heavy weight doesn't mean that it has to be the most complicated fiddly thing to get through
- I love it when a game is just smooth streamlined gorgeousness
- This is a fantastic laugh out loud euro game
- This is definitely my definitive space game
- How dare you not play this game sooner
- The variety in this game is off the friggin scale
- This game just ticks all the boxes for me
- It seems like this game was designed for me
- Regardless of what's light medium or heavy as long as you're playing at the right stage for you it's only a game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video zJqdKED3NmM
Board Games Hitting My Table general_discussion at 0:36 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8380 · mention_pk 24673
Click to watch at 0:36
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Cool initiative mechanism
- Multiple viable routes and strategies
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- Space exploration, technology upgrade, race for points
- Outer space with a map and galactic travel
- Strategic, competitive, dice-driven progression
Comparison games
- Nova Luna
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice drafting — Draft powerful dice to activate actions and influence tracks
- Initiative tracking — Strong initiative mechanics determine turn order and access to resources
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- one of the coolest initiative mechanisms that I've ever seen
- this is like an essential because it is that good
- an absolute blast playing these couple of games
- the two-player card game on the market
- Mandala is absolutely smooth as silk
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 8F3qDTYNhTA
Glowing Analog interview at 7:09
video_pk 5412 · mention_pk 16102
Click to watch at 7:09
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)
- you're like one of the nicest people ever
- that was a perfect picture round you did awesome
- you got a total of 14 points emerson, which is huge
- look up emerson's games on bgg everybody they're fantastic
- cyber bunny
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 9hFbUTtmFUw
Dice Tower top_100_list at 2:13 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4432 · mention_pk 12986
Click to watch at 2:13
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- two core appeals: tech trees and dice drafting balance
- timely tech bonuses create meaningful choices
Cons
- dice drafting can create strong tempo swings
Thematic elements
- space opera with tech trees
- galaxy exploration and technology race
- tech-tree progression with spatial exploration
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice_drafting — draft dice to perform actions and advance on tracks
- tech_tree_progression — gain unique bonuses via a branching tech track
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This game is all about balance and efficiencies with a good dose of theme.
- The race to get your stars out is kind of what's driving this game.
- The two main reasons why this game is on my list. First is the tech trees.
- This game offers me the perfect balance of euro mechanisms and card play combined with randomness of events.
- That patching mechanism is just so fun and engaging that patch history is my number 75 on my list.
- The production wheel. These wheels have rotating spokes that split the wheel into two sections.
- Kickback actions are one of the reasons why I love this game.
- The theme in this one is, well, to be fair, not exactly sure beyond being an empire looking to expand.
- What sets this one apart is you only draft once during the game at the very beginning.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 21bpf03VEaY
Chairman of the Board top_100_list at 11:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4415 · mention_pk 12927
Click to watch at 11:06
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Excellent pacing; fast and dense with options
- Strong risk-reward when drafting dice (powerful actions vs. initiative costs)
Cons
- Fewer actions per round can feel tight; may require deliberate planning
Thematic elements
- Tech advancement and exploration in a sci-fi setting
- Spacefaring civilization with ship fleets and technology
- Fast-paced, high-turnover Euro with technological progression
Comparison games
- Pulsar 2849
- Castles of Burgundy
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice drafting — Draft and assign dice to activate actions; higher dice provide stronger actions but cost initiative.
- space exploration and trade — Move ships to explore, trade, and gain bonuses across the solar system.
- tech and upgrades — Invest in technologies that provide ticking points and longer-term benefits.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- What a Beautiful Design
- it's criminal that this game isn't so widely accessible
- one of the cleanest Euros I've played in quite some time
- I am absolutely terrible at this game and despite that I love this one
- this game is quite a polarizing game
- it's a real Euro Gamers game
- ton of planning and strategy here
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video iE5psjCtvkY
Broken Meeple top_list at 0:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4234 · mention_pk 12361
Click to watch at 0:27
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- streamlined and engaging
- 90 minutes playtime
- variety of paths to victory
- clever dice mechanic
- free technology boards create new strategies
Cons
- spacewalking mechanic slightly fiddly
- unusual designer for host's preferences
Thematic elements
- space exploration
- dice drafting
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 a really solid game and yet nobody's talking about it
- it's just a really really cool game I just like sandbox games
- this one is alongside psar 2849 probably my favorite underwater cities
- one of the coolest ideas for a Euro game I have ever come across
- can't help but play this without a smile on your face
- it's Marvel I love superheroes
- Seven Wonders it is one of the Evergreen classic drafting games
- one of the best examples of video game adaptation done right
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 9TIGEF4SdNE
John Gates Games playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 3663 · mention_pk 10804
Click to watch at 0:00
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tight integration of dice drafting with engine-building and route planning
- high variability with repeated playthroughs due to tech trees, transmitters, and endgame bonuses
- rich endgame scoring with multiple pathways (transmitters, Jardines, tokens, and HQ bonuses)
- flexible options for pursuing different strategic focuses (transmitters, Jardines, HQ, or gateways)
- engaging thematic feel with pulsars, gates, and exploration on a large map
Cons
- rule complexity can be intimidating for new players
- multi-track scoring and tracking cubes/transmitters may lead to cognitive load
- tight three-player balance can lead to analysis-heavy decisions and potential attention fatigue
Thematic elements
- space exploration, route planning, and engine-building through pulsars, gates, and planetary bonuses
- galactic exploration with pulsars and gates, dice-driven fleet actions across a modular map
- explanatory playthrough with live narration of decisions and map actions
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice drafting — players draft dice each turn to determine available actions, bonuses, and penalties via the face values and their relative position to a median die.
- engine-building via technologies and transmitters — players accumulate technologies and HQ-like modules (transmitters) to gain recurring points, cubes, and action options.
- red, yellow, and blue (pink) dye activations — dye activations modify die values or grant one-time bonuses, enabling strategic shifts and combo opportunities.
- ship movement with pulsars and gates — ships move along a map by the exact number of pips on dice; passing through pulsars and landing on specific nodes yields bonuses.
- time tracker / turn order dynamics — a time track advances to unlock new technology rows; round order shifts influence who acts first in future turns.
- token placement and endgame scoring — placing tokens on planets, pulsars, and other board areas influences endgame points via region control and completed rows.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is a euro style game that uses dice drafting as its central mechanic
- you cannot do less so you have to move the exact distance that the die shows
- a whole bunch of points for doing a variety of different things
- there are a lot of endgame points available if you crafted the right combination of transmitters, Jardines, and technologies
- hoarding cubes and planning around the time track can pay off massively in the late game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video cvthbqIgJ5I
The Broken Meeple top_10_list at 11:38 sentiment: positive
video_pk 898 · mention_pk 2559
Click to watch at 11:38
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Streamlined and smooth gameplay
- Lots of options and strategies
- Perfectly balanced for a midway point salad
- Colorful and visually interesting
- Multiple viable strategies to win
Cons
- Very dry with little theme
Thematic elements
- Space race with exploration and technology
- Space exploration
- Abstract point salad with space theme
Comparison games
- Florence
- Renaissance
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice placement — Players place dice to take actions
- Point Salad — Multiple paths to victory with various scoring options
- Space Exploration — Players fly around universe exploring planets
- Technology Selection — Multiple technology boards (a, b, c, d variants)
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- I'm sorry I'm sorry please forgive me I blatantly overworked myself through September
- this is such a cool unique Innovative idea but it plays really well
- such a good Gateway game that deserved the award
- one of my probably my favorite dice that existed any game ever
- Scythe is just such a cool big Euro engine builder game
- all the decisions feel like juicing the agonizing but in a fun way
- you will constantly regret the order that you did those four actions in because there's no technical right answer
- most thematic laserder game
- card art in this is Sublime Instagram is wet dream
- I think it is a 10 out of 10 game for me
- Hidden Gem one that I never saw coming at all
- Shut Up And Take My Money
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video IszlYvzL5TI
Board Games Hitting My Table game_review at 0:39 sentiment: positive
video_pk 111 · mention_pk 265
Click to watch at 0:39
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- elegant, compact dice-driven system
- high replayability thanks to multiple strategic paths
- tight action economy with two actions per turn
Cons
- can be punishing for less optimal dice rolls
- learning curve for new players
Thematic elements
- dice-driven space civilization development
- space, interstellar exploration
- procedural, engine-building with initiative mechanics
Comparison games
- Praga Caput Regni
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice drafting — draft dice of varying values to determine actions and initiative
- dice placement — place dice on locations to gain ongoing points and bonuses
- set collection / route planning — visit planets and build routes to trigger bonuses and end-game scoring
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's such a wonderfully implemented tug-of-war game, and I love the way you do not have to focus 100% on the tug-of-war
- the replayability and just the elegance of this brilliant dice-driven Euro
- this is Mandala, the original one here
- it's so quick and it's just a delight to play
- Captain Flip, evergreen family style game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–10 of 10