Game Info
Year
2020
Players
1
Age
12+
Playtime
40 min
Collection
Mechanic profile
Percentile rank vs. all games
Vibe profile
How this game feels to play
Description
Aliens have arrived to conquer Earth. Enemy ships fill the skies. Humanity retreats to underground bunkers located below cities across the globe. Stand against the common threat! Fight the invaders city by city. Build a team from around the globe to save your planet and defeat the aliens!
GAMEPLAY
Under Falling Skies is a solo game with a multi-mission campaign. In each mission, you take charge of defending a besieged city.
Your actions are powered by an innovative dice placement mechanic. When you choose an action, you are also choosing which enemy ships will descend. Bigger numbers give better effects, but they also cause ships to descend faster.
Expand your underground base to gain access to more powerful actions, allowing you to shoot down enemy ships or deploy robots to increase your workforce, but don't forget to work on your research and watch your energy supply.
The mothership draws closer every round, ratcheting up the tension.
Can you complete your mission before your base is destroyed?
Official rules: https://czechgames.com/files/rules/under-falling-skies-rules...
Under Falling Skies is based on the print & play game that won the 2019 9-card Nanogame P&P Design Contest. Built on the same intriguing mechanics, it now comes with a full-scale campaign providing even more content for hours of intense fun.
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All mentions
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 18
This page: 18
Sentiment:
pos 16 ·
mix 2 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–18 of 18
Video SZiMshWHQ2A
Playthrough at 0:04 sentiment: positive
video_pk 69082 · mention_pk 165405
Click to watch at 0:04 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Love the game
- Great rules video by Paul Groen
- So much uniqueness in this game
- The different puzzles for all the different combinations is so dang juicy
- Scenarios add variety
- Love how it changes the board slightly
- Certainly is enough of a puzzle for me. I absolutely love it.
Cons
- Can be brutal
- Might not be enough if you don't like dice placement
- The game is hard
Thematic elements
- Aliens invading Earth, defending cities
- New York City
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Campaign play — The game features a campaign mode with multiple chapters and scenarios that are played sequentially, with outcomes affecting future scenarios.
- dice placement — Players roll dice and place them on specific locations on their player board to perform actions. The value of the die often matters for the action's effectiveness.
- Modular board — The game board is made up of modular tiles and components that change based on the chosen scenario and city, affecting setup and gameplay.
- Reroll Dice — Certain actions, like placing white dice, trigger a reroll of remaining dice, allowing players to mitigate bad luck or optimize their options.
- Threat Level — Scenarios can be adjusted in difficulty by altering the 'threat level', which affects the challenge presented by the alien invasion.
- Variable player powers — Different characters with unique abilities are available to play, influencing strategy and options.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- So, I'm going to show you how that works and we're going to play them. It will be a little bit spoilery, but the fun part about the campaign is there's so many variables. Every time you play it, it'll be quite different.
- Oh my gosh, I love this game.
- It's super simple but really fun.
- The different puzzles you have for all the different combinations here is so dang juicy.
- I absolutely love it.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video vDIqfFtJAzA
Other at 9:20 sentiment: positive
video_pk 67548 · mention_pk 163674
Click to watch at 9:20 · 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)
- Another scavenger hunt. Okay, this one's a little bit more specific.
- You get one point for being fastest. You get two points for being right.
- So, we're trying the game that matches that color palette kind of.
- This is our first one. You'll get a little buffer.
- It's a solid guess, but Nick is correct.
- So, am I correct in that because the lightest part was matching kind of the color palette like in terms of the order?
- So, we're going to mix it up. So, now you're going to get a minute.
- Please subscribe for Jimmy. Please subscribe.
- This is a solid a solid guess, right?
- The white is what's missing. I mean, there's clouds.
- Solid. Solid attempt. That's one point.
- The answer was which will appear on screen now. Is isle of cats.
- There's a lot of a color that's probably the predominant.
- Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. For sure. Dang. Okay.
- Okay. All right. Good. Good. Well done. It's tough.
- This is going to be that 1,000%.
- Oh, that's incorrect.
- The comments are on your side and I am opening a can. Never been wrong before.
- So, here's the thing. It's not white.
- All righty.
- Oh, it's like kind of gold. Gold, red, and blue or or beige.
- So it's not like completely bland.
- I mean, let's not go that far.
- And blue and red.
- Ah, it's wrong.
- Nick with the cheeseburger from Oolio.
- Not bad.
- Not blue enough.
- It's more of a royal blue on that one.
- Grand Hotel.
- Coming. Coming. Coming.
- Not correct.
- Incorrect. Mike.
- Wow, that's a good call. It totally does look like that.
- It looks like a burger without the meat.
- It does.
- Just the veggies, please.
- Just the veggies, please. Next up,
- This is going to be a tough one.
- Blue, red, black.
- They're all tough ones.
- This is going to be a particularly tough tough black.
- Particularly tough. Blue, red, black,
- That there's lots of games.
- Is that maybe
- Um, that's pretty close. I'll take that. Take that.
- No, it's close. It's close. There's no It's probably more yellow than blue and red, but I don't know.
- How many has he missed?
- Yeah. Has got anyone right?
- Well, the timer he got
- Oh. Oh, many.
- Is I'm like, is he okay?
- Got to grab something faster.
- So Nick's pick was horrified.
- Good pick.
- And it is correct.
- No way. Nice job, Nick.
- All right, so there's no matter how long I was staring.
- Yeah, that's why I was like with Combot. I was like, "Oh, I'm screwed. There's no way."
- Oh gosh. Yeah. rally. I got to focus.
- You know, we got
- three more of these.
- Yeah.
- Okay.
- I got enough time.
- Also, I mean, if you want to switch positions, if that helps.
- If you want a a little balance quicker, doesn't matter.
- Are you closer to All right. I know that that's been a I think that was a comment on one of these.
- The door.
- I have an unfair advantage or whatever.
- My brain is swift. Even if I'm further, I make up time.
- Oo, pretty purple pink. It's kind of like a a pinkish I like to I like to and then kind of like a light purple and then double black.
- What could that be?
- Oh, you're right.
- Yeah,
- baby.
- Damn.
- Uh there's no point me grabbing anything else, I don't think.
- Well, no.
- One for speed.
- I present to you Wonderland's War for Judgement. No, no, no.
- Oh my gosh.
- Got a little workout in, too. A couple pumps.
- I mean,
- come on.
- No, it's [clears throat] not.
- Nick, you got 15 seconds.
- I'm coming back in. I haven't got anything. I think Mike has it.
- Mike gets one point for being the fastest, but he only gets two points for being correct.
- I was like, this is thing. When I get it, at least I get it pretty much. You did. You nailed it. I picked my my battles.
- I immediately was like, I'm I'm done. There's no way. There's no way.
- All right, down eight and nine.
- Oh, you get there first.
- Getting spicy.
- All right, this is the second to last. The penultimate game.
- All right,
- until
- this is the last. This is a tiebreaker case.
- Oh,
- okay. So, wait.
- I got to
- You have to You have to get this one.
- All right. Cuz even if I get here first, well, if you get it right, we'll be fine.
- So, I have to get it correct. Yes.
- One way or another, I have to get the right answer. No big deal.
- Lot of beige.
- Wa. Whole beige bottom or top or top? Beige top or bottom? The yellow and maroon.
- Whoa.
- Yellow maroon and beige. Beige.
- And I mean it's like it's beige.
- She beige. It's beige. But with some color
- now 30 seconds.
- I'm getting like a
- You have wafers at your place. I was like I'm getting like a uh 20 seconds game.
- That'd be more yellow though.
- Man, this is so much bigger.
- 10 NINE NOW.
- EIGHT NOW.
- SEVEN. LEGS. FIVE, FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE.
- COUNTS. I'm here. I'm here. I'm in it. I'm in it. I'm in it. Counts. I'm in it.
- Okay, Nick.
- I grabbed small world. I don't think that's correct.
- Nick's submission is the small world. He got one point for being fastest, which puts him at 10, but it is however incorrect.
- Mike's submission was Shakespeare. A little bit of red.
- It's not a bad choice.
- Really? I mean, yeah, I mean, it's close.
- He gets zero points for his speed and zero points for being correct.
- The correct answer was the gallerist.
- OH, WE BOTH LOOKED at that because I thought it'd be more green on it.
- Dang. We almost had it. Man, I should have just gone with my first instinct. That was really the first thing I thought.
- So, Nick wins 10 to eight.
- I'm just happy to have been here to participate, man.
- Indeed.
- Dang. [sighs]
- Dang. Dang.
- If you enjoyed that, let us know down in the comments below. How well did you do? Were you able to guess?
- Probably better than we did.
- Yeah, this was this was doable, but tough. Really tough. Yeah.
- Um, but thank you so much for Jimmy. Shouts out. Give this video a thumbs up for Jimmy. Say thanks Jimmy in the comments.
- Um, if you like this kind of challenge and stuff, let us know.
- Absolutely. Yeah. And we will uh see you next time. Unless Judge Jimmy, is there anything else left to uh to do? Maybe give me some bonus points for being so kind, being a good team sport.
- All right.
- Check out the Patreon if you want to see them do this tiebreaker, I guess.
- Boom.
- Perfect.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video v8qZkvN1JJw
Top List at 5:21 sentiment: positive
video_pk 66676 · mention_pk 162449
Click to watch at 5:21 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Lots of bang for your buck
- Great solo only game
- Campaign mode and replayability through different cities
Cons
- Potential for the game to feel complete with no planned future expansions.
Thematic elements
- Defending against alien drone ships coming from a mothership
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Campaign play — Features a campaign mode that goes through different cities with special abilities.
- dice placement — Players roll dice and place them in their area to perform actions, but this also moves the alien ships down faster.
- Modular Setup — Different cities determine base organization and offer unique abilities, allowing for varied gameplay even without the campaign.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It turns into one big puzzle because there's just a line of enemies that you have to defeat.
- So much stuff.
- And Vantage is just a masterpiece. It's so [ __ ] cool.
- Just the scenario ingenuity of these games is so cool because of different stuff just popping up and happening.
- Um this one [clears throat] is a a super and and this is the reason this is the sole reason why this game beat out Elder Scrolls when we were doing that comparison.
- It's just a masterful achievement.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video hJj_XCAtHys
Meeple University Rules Teach at 0:30 sentiment: positive
video_pk 64549 · mention_pk 158016
Click to watch at 0:30 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- strong solo play focus
- variety of options each turn
- dice-driven decision depth
- campaign mode with chapters
Cons
none
Thematic elements
- alien invasion and planetary defense; research and resource management
- Earth with aliens descending from the sky to attack a city; you defend against the invasion
- solo game with campaign-like elements and repeatable scenarios
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- alien ships movement — Ships move sideways depending on the icon they land on.
- board-based difficulty — Different difficulty levels by flipping space boards.
- Campaign — Campaign mode includes four chapters, implying replayable narrative segments.
- campaign chapters — Campaign mode includes four chapters, implying replayable narrative segments.
- dice drafting — You draft dice by choosing which dice to place and later activating the actions.
- dice placement — At the start of your turn you roll all five dice and assign one to each of five columns to activate actions.
- Dice Rolling and Placement — At the start of your turn you roll all five dice and assign one to each of five columns to activate actions.
- Energy management — Energy is required to activate research rooms and is gained by placing dice.
- jet fighter action — Jet fighter room allows shooting alien ships back to the mothership.
- mothership and health/track — If ships reach the city you lose health; if the mothership reaches the end of its track you also lose.
- Research track progression — Advancing along a research track by performing research actions to win.
- resource acquisition and excavation — Excavate to open up more powerful actions and options.
- room-based actions and die pips — Higher die pips power actions and unlock more rooms; you can place only one die per column across five columns.
- sudden death ending — The game ends via a sudden death mechanism.
- Track advancement — Advancing along a research track by performing research actions to win.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- "the game plays one player"
- "with mechanics such as dice rolling dice drafting and sudden death ending"
- "the game is of medium complexity"
- "in this solo game you want to defeat the aliens with dice"
- "you roll all five dice assigning one at a time activating the actions later but immediately descending the small alien shape in the corresponding column"
- "you can only assign one die on each of the five columns"
- "the number of beeps dictates how powerful your action is"
- "the higher is usually the worst"
- "yes you reroll the rest of your unassigned dice"
- "you need energy to activate those research rooms"
- "you need to place dice to gain energy"
- "use higher die pips to open even more rooms"
- "you need to activate the jet fighter room shooting all alien ships back to the mother ship"
- "each time that small ship reaches the city you lose one health"
- "each ram the mothership will go down one row and you will also lose the game if it reaches the end of its track"
- "the dice placement is so parsley a lot of agonizingly decision goodness to make"
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video OMUDzdygmYM
Totally Tabled Top List at 0:49 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 41797 · mention_pk 126742
Click to watch at 0:49 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- brilliantly designed, crunchy puzzle
- fast setup and quick rounds
- strong solo-focused design that rewards planning
Cons
- puzzle can feel less satisfying than some other solo designs
- some players may experience AP-like hesitancy despite no real opponent
Thematic elements
- space invasion and city defense with a puzzle-driven core
- A city under alien threat where ships advance toward the city and players defend through actions activated by dice
- tight, tactical solo puzzle with clear win/lose conditions
Comparison games
- Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island
- This War of Mine
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Activation sequencing — Spaces end up occupied and activate their spaces when ships reach them, determining outcomes.
- area/space progression — Alien ships move down the board toward the city, advancing equal to the pip value of the placed dice.
- attack/defense loop — Certain setups allow attacking ships back toward the mother ship to win.
- dice placement — Roll five dice (three gray, two white) and place one die per column to take actions; white dice trigger re-rolls of unplaced dice.
- Resource management — Generate energy to pay for actions and to move deeper to unlock stronger rooms via an excavator mechanic.
- resource/exit planning — Generate energy to pay for actions and to move deeper to unlock stronger rooms via an excavator mechanic.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- AP doesn't exist in a Solo game; only a analysis paralysis isn't a problem when no one's waiting for you to finish your turn
- it's all very simple but the puzzle itself is crunchy and interesting
- the puzzle itself is brilliantly constructed but solving it leaves me a little bit cold
- No better solo only game than Final Girl; it's my number one
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video mbvklwWx5fc
Board Games for One Review at 6:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 40659 · mention_pk 123251
Click to watch at 6:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- stunning colors and art; rich components
- great replayability through campaigns and multiple characters
- large box with substantial content and a compelling solo puzzle
Cons
- high yeast of stress for some players
- dice-placement puzzle can be intense and not for all tastes
Thematic elements
- defend against an alien threat via knowledge, research, and dice-driven actions
- War of the Worlds-inspired alien invasion with a Space Invaders vibe; a mother ship advancing while defenders operate in a subterranean shelter
- campaign-based with story pages and irreversible choices; replayable via different campaigns
Comparison games
- Nemo's War
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Campaign — story pages guide successive sessions; choices are irreversible and can be reset by replaying campaigns
- campaign-driven progression — story pages guide successive sessions; choices are irreversible and can be reset by replaying campaigns
- dice placement — place dice into columns (firing, power, etc.) to perform actions; max one die per column
- dice placement puzzle — place dice into columns (firing, power, etc.) to perform actions; max one die per column
- Resource management — manage power and knowledge to advance research and counter the mother ship
- resource management and research — manage power and knowledge to advance research and counter the mother ship
- two white dice 'do-over' mechanic — white dice can be rolled to add randomness; unused dice must be rolled on subsequent turns, adding risk/reward
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- This is a solo game only.
- Maquis is still fantastic.
- The theme comes through with the art. It's not just moving guys around on the map.
- It's a very artful little game.
- This is a hidden movement solo only game.
- The AI is easier to control maybe than this solo deck, but once you learn it, it makes sense.
- It's by far my favorite.
- The colors, the art, it's awesome.
- This is a thinky puzzle.
- If you love dice, you're going to be fine with this.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video y4o3I46h-rA
The Board Game Garden Playthrough at 10:03 sentiment: positive
video_pk 37518 · mention_pk 112738
Click to watch at 10:03 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging and clever dice-placement puzzle
- Strong solo play presence and campaign mode
- Tightly designed risk-reward loop with energy and research tracking
- Satisfying escalation and replay options via campaigns
Cons
- Large board layout can hinder streaming or set-up in video
- Theme may not appeal to all players (space setting)
- High learning curve for new players despite simple rules
Thematic elements
- Space sci‑fi defense against an escalating alien threat
- A space-based base defense against waves of alien ships, with a moving mothership at the center.
- campaign-driven solo puzzle with evolving objectives
Comparison games
- Gloomhaven
- Gloomhaven: Jaws of the Lion
- Frosthaven
- Kfire Chronicles
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- arrows_and_columns — Certain icons move ships sideways; strategic placement leverages column effects.
- dice placement — Place dice into color-coded rooms to trigger actions and push ships along tracks.
- dice_placement — Place dice into color-coded rooms to trigger actions and push ships along tracks.
- energy_management — Earn and spend energy to power rooms and effects; energy totals constrain progression.
- explosion_icons — Icons allow removal or damage to ships via orange rooms.
- spawn_and_respawn — Shields/spawn points determine when and where ships re-enter play.
- track_movement — Spaceships and the mothership advance along a grid-like track, resolved by placed dice.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Space Invaders vibes
- This is a solo game that I hear so much about in the solo gaming community
- The rule set is very simple but the decision space is very fun
- Under Falling Skies is hype around the campaign and puzzle
- I'm really enjoying this puzzle of dice placement and moving ships
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video gKJOY3XN4bI
3 Minute Board Games Review at 0:21 sentiment: mixed
video_pk 13328 · mention_pk 39094
Click to watch at 0:21 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
mixed
Pros
- AI responds to player actions, avoiding reliance on luck-based events
- deep solo-focused experience with low luck and high skill
- tunable difficulty through multiple cities, robot workers, and skyboards
- campaign content adds optional depth
Cons
- campaign components can be heavy and may not fix core appeal if the base game doesn't resonate
- the board is lengthy; long playtime
- solo-focused design may limit audience
Thematic elements
- sci-fi space-defense with strategic dice placement and AI-driven aliens
- Earth under alien invasion; global defense with underground bunkers and a mothership
- campaign-focused with core solo gameplay
Comparison games
- Assembly
- Dawn of the Zeds
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- AI-driven enemy actions — Alien movements and actions are automatic responses to player choices rather than random event cards
- dice placement and dice drafting — Roll five dice each turn and place them in various base rooms to take actions; remaining dice are rerolled as allowed
- mothership and skyboard mechanics — Mothership advances and interacts with the board; skyboards provide double-sided faces affecting difficulty
- Resource management — Spending power to activate rooms; managing power to push tech tracks and defend the base
- resource/power management — Spending power to activate rooms; managing power to push tech tracks and defend the base
- solo play objective — Play is designed for one player with victory condition via advancing research and defending against attacks
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Under Falling Skies is a solo game designed for solo play, so this is definitely one made for solo gaming and with that experience in mind.
- The best thing about this game is that the AI responds to your actions, you are always screwed over by your own mistakes not an unlucky event card
- This is one for the solo gamers and specifically those solo gamers who want a low luck, high skill experience.
- If the core game doesn't work for you, adding more bells and whistles to it won't fix that
- The game itself has a lot of levers to adjust the difficulty to suit your needs, from different player cities with different abilities, robot workers and different skyboards, you can tune the game a lot.
- Long board is long.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Do_1_Muscfo
Box of Delights Playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 13134 · mention_pk 38407
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Very quick setup and teardown for a solo session
- Strong solo-friendly design with rules that are easy to hold in memory
- Engaging dice puzzle with meaningful room interactions
- Campaign content adds variety and potential for replayability
- Clear, compact loop that scales well for a solo player
Cons
- Luck can dominate dice outcomes, affecting pacing and decision quality
- Some turns may stall or feel less consequential, depending on rolls
- Rule interactions can be dense for new players transitioning from base game to campaign rules
Thematic elements
- Space invasion, resource management, and dice-driven action with modular room interactions.
- Space-based defense against alien ships with a campaign mode; exploration and progression on a research track.
- Procedural, campaign-driven with evolving rules and scenarios.
Comparison games
- Roswell (scenario/content) as a cross-reference for campaign-style content
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Campaign — Campaign content adds new rules and changes as you progress, altering game state over time.
- campaign mode — Campaign content adds new rules and changes as you progress, altering game state over time.
- cooperative actions — Robot units provide buffs or mutations to rooms, with optional usage and diminishing effects as turns progress.
- dice placement — Roll dice and allocate them to various rooms to activate effects; some rooms allow combinations (double rooms) to boost results.
- Double room interaction — Two dice can be merged in a double room to create a larger combined effect; independent dice in separate rooms cannot be added.
- Resource management — Manage energy and research to progress on the research track and perform actions.
- Robot synergies — Robot units provide buffs or mutations to rooms, with optional usage and diminishing effects as turns progress.
- Spawn and movement pacing — Mother ship and alien ships advance/spawn; board mechanics determine when ships are destroyed or damaged.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- so it's a nice quick game nice and easy
- as a solo game just so quick to set up
- i think we've won guys i think we've done it
- under falling skies super game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video v-hzFFP4bEA
BoardGameCo Discussion at 12:11 sentiment: positive
video_pk 11614 · mention_pk 34117
Click to watch at 12:11 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Excellent solo game with ongoing campaign variety
Cons
- Not played as often; may become a forever game
Thematic elements
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- solitaire / puzzle — Puzzly optimization with solo play and dice interaction.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- There were none in 2024.
- I'm trying to get my collection down to 200 games.
- Clans of Calonia is fantastic. I only discovered it a year ago.
- Vestage is basically Vindication Mini.
- I think Obsession is a very unique worker placement deck-building game.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video qBqG8wlkhM0
Rob's Gaming Table Playthrough at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9711 · mention_pk 28679
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Engaging solo/coterminous campaign with modular scenarios
- Deep dice-driven engine with meaningful, tangible choices
- Varied city setups and character upgrades increase replayability
- Tension from reactor leak and energy limits adds strategic depth
Cons
- Rule complexity and bookkeeping can be heavy
- Energy management and early-round constraints can feel punishing
- Balance between room types and energy availability can be tricky to manage
Thematic elements
- alien invasion, defense, resource management
- Earth's cities defended against alien invasion; campaign progresses through scenarios with evolving threats.
- campaign progression with evolving chapters and character upgrades
Comparison games
- Pandemic
- Montreal
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- campaign choice and branching — Polls determine scenario options and city assignments, shaping the campaign's path.
- dice placement — Worker dice are placed into rooms to perform actions; dice values constrain available options and outcomes.
- Energy management — Energy tokens power rooms and influence upgrades, robot deployment, and track advancement.
- excavator and room opening — An excavator mechanism opens new rooms; placement decisions determine when and how rooms become available.
- robot upgrades and command rooms — Robot dice and command rooms modify dice values and enable transfers or multi-die effects.
- ship combat and reinforcement — Aliens and ships move and can be shot down in spaces; managing ships and explosions is central to defense.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The defense forces in this city are short-handed.
- Reinforcements are coming.
- Energy is going to be the problem.
- Big numbers. Big numbers. But is that good?
- We win.
- Pandemic? As enemy ships are shot down, our team seizes the opportunity to research the alien biotechnology.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video 9dB_ZCbLqN0
One Stop Co-op Shop Top List at 17:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9469 · mention_pk 27993
Click to watch at 17:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- tight dice-driven choices; scalable campaign
Cons
- lower price; but expansion content is optional
Thematic elements
- dice-driven base management
- Alien invasion; base defense
- tactical, tense
Comparison games
- Warp's Edge
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Dice-based base actions — Each die activates a column; enemy ship moves accordingly.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is just my opinion my list if your favorite game isn't on here it's more likely that I haven't played it
- it's a solid tense game
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video zIKcheJ8w0Q
Foster the Meeple Unboxing at 8:55 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8643 · mention_pk 25446
Click to watch at 8:55 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- appeals to solo gamers
- dense theme for a quick play
Cons
- described as not a star shooter but evokes that vibe
Thematic elements
- space combat/arcade shooter
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- arcade shooter-style solo — solo play with a space-defense/shooter motif
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is being put to the top of the list it is anyways
- if somebody asked what my favorite game of the con was it was going to be this
- this is my new favorite game
- this is the best moment of my life basically
- they probably gave it to the right people because i'm gonna pump the heck out of this game
- we got to demo a new game that's coming out in January from Plaid Hat Games called Familiar Tales
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video bfDRTwFt_Ww
Rob's Gaming Table Playthrough at 5:06 sentiment: positive
video_pk 6028 · mention_pk 17850
Click to watch at 5:06 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Compact yet deep puzzle with high replayability
- Strong thematic coherence and variety of scenarios
- Good solo-feeling experience and strategic depth
- Small footprint with strong perceived value
Cons
- Rules can be dense and require careful study
- Sabotage and token systems can feel punishing and complex
- Setup and component management can be fiddly without organization
Thematic elements
- Sci-fi military defense; alien contact; evolving bases and sky tiles
- Multinational space-defense campaign across cities (Beijing, Tokyo, Soul, Singapore, Sydney) with sky-tile mechanics and a newly allied alien.
- Campaign-driven progression with chapter-based twists and evolving allies
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Die-based action economy — Players roll dice and allocate pips into columns and rooms; die values constrain what actions can be taken.
- Excavat or track and robot deployment — A movable excavator governs room access and robotics production; Tokyo limits to one robot unless mitigated.
- Mothership and ship movement — All enemy ships descend columns each round; the mothership moves and triggers damage if they reach the city.
- Sabotage column — A sabotaged column can lower/delay die values, forcing adaptive planning and risk evaluation.
- Teleporters — Teleporters pair tiles and can shuttle ships between them during movement, adding volatility and reach traps.
- Weather/scenario disruption — Weather-control/sabotage scenario introduces tokens and column effects that disrupt radar/flight, increasing difficulty.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Holy crap. I am stressed out playing a board game so much in such a long time.
- This game is epic.
- The puzzle is rough but very rewarding.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video qc_urn4Z7kU
Rob's Gaming Table Playthrough at 6:27 sentiment: positive
video_pk 5549 · mention_pk 16505
Click to watch at 6:27 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- engaging solo campaign with a structured, replayable chapter system
- Montreal-style room interaction adds depth and planning opportunities
- campaign components unlock a beefed-up standalone experience after progression
- diverse setup options and comic-book storytelling provide thematic flavor
- accessible entry point for players returning to a long-stored collection
Cons
- component quality of some game bags and physical components could be better
- early rounds can induce analysis paralysis on stream due to complex setup
- some rules phrasing and edge cases require cross-checking with FAQ or later rulebooks
- price and niche solo-only design may limit broader appeal
Thematic elements
- alien invasion defense with city-scale battles and tech-forward experimentation
- Earth and space during an alien invasion; cities defend themselves against planetary threats across a multi-chapter campaign
- comic-book campaign panels and chapter briefs; modular story elements
Comparison games
- Marvel Champions (campaign-style elements)
- Buttons & Bugs (campaign/solo playthrough)
- Legacy of You (solo campaign lineage)
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- campaign structure and replayability — the game is organized into four chapters with two piles of options per chapter; chosen scenarios are saved, others are shuffled away to create replayability
- combat and ship control — combat revolves around shooting down alien ships with dice outcomes, applying effects in sequence, and managing the threat level
- Combat: Dice — combat revolves around shooting down alien ships with dice outcomes, applying effects in sequence, and managing the threat level
- cooperative actions — some rooms allow combining effects from multiple rooms of the same type; Montreal-like rule lets players sum room values for more powerful actions
- dice placement — roll a pool of dice each turn and place them into columns to activate rooms with varied effects; higher dice unlock stronger actions
- dice placement and dice management — roll a pool of dice each turn and place them into columns to activate rooms with varied effects; higher dice unlock stronger actions
- energy economy and resource management — spend energy to activate rooms, move the excavator, and advance on the research track; balance immediate needs with long-term goals
- multiroom interaction and Montreal rule — some rooms allow combining effects from multiple rooms of the same type; Montreal-like rule lets players sum room values for more powerful actions
- Resource management — spend energy to activate rooms, move the excavator, and advance on the research track; balance immediate needs with long-term goals
- satellites and research tracking — satellite tokens affect research progress and can be destroyed, adding risk and tension to the campaign progression
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Underfalling Skies definitely super simple, like super easy.
- I am not a professional at this game.
- This game is fun even without the campaign.
- Screw you guys. I'm never playing it on stream again. Deal with it.
- I love the brain crunchiness of this game.
- Backseat Gaming is like kind of frowned upon, but yell at me.
- This effect was cool.
- I like legacy games.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video dVaso5Qv2pY
The Broken Meeple Top List at 11:44 sentiment: positive
video_pk 4518 · mention_pk 13279
Click to watch at 11:44 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Space Invaders theme works really well with mechanics
- Clever dice game system
- Good value for money
- Works well solo or cooperatively with two players
- Mini campaign adds extra content
- Dense mental puzzle of optimization
Cons
- Not a big box game
Thematic elements
- Space Invaders board game - defend against alien invasion
- Space/sci-fi - outer space invasion
- Solo dice game with escalating threat
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Base digging — Dig out rest of base to find better locations underneath
- Dice game — Use and manipulate dice to activate locations
- Dice mitigation — Significant dice mitigation through clever location use
- Location Management — Use locations to shoot lasers, do research, beat aliens
- Mothership descent — Mothership creeps down sending ships in columns trying to stop you
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- It's that great banter game that's just great for like a good party setting
- The game needs to be quick and snappy and that's the way it should work
- When I got the game myself and finally got it out and played it with fellow gamers it was brilliant
- I don't see this really rising further up the top 100 though I think this is going to be its peak
- If there's a slight flaw at this game it's that the card system needs a little bit of tweaking it can get quite swingy
- The fans recommended this game and the fans were right
- It's kind of like that awesome experience that you only get to experience every now and again in a blue moon
- I found brian board to be a big surprise one of those big exceptions to the rule
- It's that great sort of climactic tension where throughout the game you're trying to figure out who is not on our side here
- It's a really clever system there's a decent amount of dice mitigation you know every time you roll those dice you are there racking your brains
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video LWOMVS8IKx0
The Broken Meeple Top List at 20:09 sentiment: positive
video_pk 868 · mention_pk 2489
Click to watch at 20:09 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Solid solo puzzle with meaningful choices
- Accessible rules and quick playtime
Cons
- Campaign or multiplayer modes are less central
Thematic elements
- space defense and base-building in a dice puzzle format
- space invasion theme with dice-driven actions
- puzzle-driven, solo-focused
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- base-building challenges — Expand your base while mitigating threats.
- dice allocation and resource management — Assign dice to generators and weapons to respond to threats.
- solo-focused puzzle — Primarily designed for solo play with tight pacing.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- Carpet bombing 25 solo games that you should be checking out if you're a solo player like me.
- This is the life. Ark Nova.
- Dripping with theme. You're a monster.
- Regardless of whether you're a sad loner like me who has to play games in this fashion, it's still only a game and it's still fun.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video Dazz49kIpKA
Rob's Gaming Table Playthrough at 5:16 sentiment: positive
video_pk 333 · mention_pk 974
Click to watch at 5:16 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- High campaign variability with six cities and evolving rules
- Audience interaction drives city and character selection
- Flexible planning around both energy management and ship interdiction
Cons
- High complexity and steep learning curve for solo play
- Heavy decision fatigue due to numerous interacting rules and options
Thematic elements
- Resistance against a malevolent AI puppeting aliens; tactical, modular campaign with evolving rules
- Earthbound campaign with sky tiles, alien AI, and a final battle against an orbital satellite; cities, characters, and sky tiles influence play
- Campaign-driven, episodic progression with choices affecting outcomes
Comparison games
- Mage Knight
- Nemo's War
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- dice placement — Assign dice to different rooms to resolve effects and advance the narrative and objectives
- die-placement — Assign dice to different rooms to resolve effects and advance the narrative and objectives
- excavator / sky tiles / threat track — Moving an excavator to uncover or alter room availability; threat level and sky tile setups affect difficulty
- jet fighters / anti-air / color-coding — Systems to shoot down ships using color-coded spots; strategic placement and timing matter for defense and offense
- robot rooms / multi-room — Rooms occupy multiple spaces and may require dice in each space; multi-room interactions enable combined effects
- Tile/Map Shifting — Moving an excavator to uncover or alter room availability; threat level and sky tile setups affect difficulty
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The end begins.
- Mexico City for the win.
- We win the campaign.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
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