Science Fiction Games
Browse all Science Fiction board games in the Meeple Pulse database.
Styles
AbstractAbstract StrategyAdventureAge of ReasonAmerican WestAncientAnimalsAviation / FlightBluffingCard GameChildren's GameCity BuildingCivilizationCo-operativeCollectible ComponentsComic Book / StripCompetitiveDeductionDiceEconomicEducationalElectronicEnvironmentalEuroExpansion for Base-gameExplorationFamilyFan ExpansionFantasyFarmingFightingHistoricalHorrorHumorIndustry / ManufacturingMazeMedicalMedievalMedium HeavyMiniaturesModern WarfareMovies / TV / Radio themeMusicMythologyNapoleonicNauticalNegotiationNumberPartyParty GamePiratesPoliticalPost-NapoleonicPrehistoricPrint & PlayPuzzlePuzzle-LikeRacingReal-timeRenaissanceScience FictionSpace ExplorationSpies / Secret AgentsSportsStrategyTerritory BuildingThematicTrainsTransportationTravelTriviaVideo Game ThemeWargameWord GameWorld War II
Themes
AbstractAdventureAncientAnimalsArea ControlArtAviationBusinessCard GameCity BuildingCo-operativeCombatComic BookCompetitiveCooperativeCrimeEconomicEducationalEmergency ManagementEnvironmentalEnvironmentalismEspionageExplorationFantasyFarmingFightingHigh Player InteractionHistoricalHorrorHumorIndustry / ManufacturingIntrigueLiteraryMagicMarvelMedievalModernMuseumMusicMysteryMythologyNatureNauticalParty GamePoliticalPress Your LuckPuzzleRacingSatireSci-FiScience FictionSocial CommentarySocial InteractionSpaceSportsStrategySuperheroesThematicTravelWarWesternWord-Guessing
Mechanics
3D PlacementActingAction / DexterityAction DraftingAction Point AllowanceAction Point Allowance SystemAction Point SystemAction PointsAction ProgrammingAction QueueAction RetrievalAction SelectionAction/EventAdvantage TokenAlliancesAlternate ActivationApp-AssistedApp-DrivenArea ControlArea InfluenceArea MajorityArea Majority / InfluenceArea MovementArgumentationAsymmetricAsymmetric FactionsAsymmetric GameAsymmetric PowersAsymmetrical PowersAuction & BiddingAuction / BiddingAuction CompensationAuction/BiddingAuction: DutchAuction: Fixed PlacementAuction: Multiple LotAuction: Once AroundAuction: Sealed BidAuctioningAutomatic Resource GrowthBag BuildingBettingBetting and BluffingBetting and WageringBetting and WagersBiasBiddingBingoBlind BiddingBluffingCampaign / Battle Card DrivenCampaign / LegacyCampaign / Legacy GameCampaign / Mission-basedCampaign / ScenariosCampaign GameCampaign PlayCard DraftingCard DrawingCard DrivenCard Driven ActionCard Driven CombatCard Driven Dice AllocationCard Driven MovementCard ManagementCard PlayCard Play / Hand ManagementCard Play Conflict ResolutionCard SheddingCard-Driven MovementCharacter CreationCharacter ProgressionChit-Pull SystemClosed DraftingCo-op PlayCo-operative GameCo-operative PlayCode-breakingCombat ResolutionCombo ChainCommand CardsCommodity SpeculationCommunication LimitsConnectionsConstrained BiddingContract FulfillmentContractsCooperative GameCooperative GameplayCooperative PlayCooperative Trick-takingCritical Hits and FailuresDebateDeck BuildingDeck ConstructionDeck, Bag, and Pool BuildingDeck-BuildingDeductionDelayed PurchaseDexterityDice DraftingDice DrivenDice PlacementDice RollingDie Icon ResolutionDiplomatic InfluenceDraftingDynamic Battle SystemEnclosureEnd Game BonusesEngine BuildingEngine-BuildingEscape RoomEvent DrivenEventsExplorationFarmingFlip and WriteFollowFollow ActionGrid CoverageGrid MovementHand ManagementHex-and-CounterHexagon GridHidden MovementHidden RolesI Cut You ChooseIncomeInfluence / Area MajorityInterruptsInvestmentKing of the HillLadder ClimbingLegacyLegacy ElementsLegacy GameLegacy SystemLimited CommunicationLine DrawingLine of SightLoansLose a TurnMancalaMap AdditionMap MovementMap ReductionMarketMarket DraftingMarket ManipulationMarket MechanicMarket SpeculationMatchingMeasurement MovementMelding and SplayingMemoryMission ObjectivesModular BoardModular Board ConstructionMove Through DeckMovement PointsMovement TemplatesMoving Multiple UnitsMulti-Use CardsMulti-use CardsMultiple ScenariosMust FollowNarrative ChoiceNarrative Choice / ParagraphNegotiationNegotiation MechanicsNeighbor ScopeNetwork & Route BuildingNetwork BuildingNetwork and Route BuildingOnce-Per-Game AbilitiesOne vs ManyOne vs. ManyOpen DraftingOrderingOwnershipPaper-and-PencilPartnershipsPattern BuildingPattern MovementPattern RecognitionPick-up and DeliverPlayer EliminationPlayer InteractionPlayer JudgePoint SaladPoint to Point MovementPolyominoesProgrammed MovementPush Your LuckPush-Your-LuckPuzzlePuzzle-LikePuzzle-SolvingRaceRe-rolling and LockingReal-TimeRecipe FulfillmentResource ManagementResource to MoveRole PlayingRole SelectionRoles with Asymmetric InformationRoll / Spin and MoveRondelRoute BuildingRoute-BuildingRoute/Network BuildingSanity SystemScenario / Campaign PlayScenario / Mission / Campaign GameScenario / Mission FunctionSecret Unit DeploymentSemi-Cooperative GameSet CollectionSheddingSimulationSimultaneous ActionSimultaneous Action SelectionSimultaneous Hidden AllocationSingingSlide / PushSocial DeductionSocial InteractionSolo / Solitaire GameSpace ExplorationSpellingSquare GridStat Check / Skill CheckStat Check ResolutionStock HoldingStorytellingStrategic PlanningTableau BuildingTactical Decision-MakingTagsTake ThatTargeted CluesTeam PlayTeam-Based GameTeam-Based GuessingTeamworkTech TreesTech Trees / Tech TracksTechnology & Armament TracksTechnology TreeTension & Aggression TracksTile DraftingTile LayingTile PlacementTime TrackTime TravelTower DefenseTrack MovementTradingTraitor GameTrick-takingTug of WarTurn Order: Claim ActionTurn Order: PassTurn Order: Pass OrderTurn Order: ProgressiveTurn Order: Stat-BasedTurn Order: Time TrackUnit PlacementVariable Phase OrderVariable Player PowersVariable Set-upVariable SetupVictory Point TracksVictory Points as a ResourceVotingWord AssociationWord GameWord GuessingWord-GuessingWord-guessingWordplayWorker PlacementWorker Placement with Dice WorkersWorker Placement, Different Worker TypesZone of Control

RANK #9
In Terraforming Mars, players embark on an ambitious journey to make the red planet habitable. The game simulates the complex and challenging process of terraforming Mars through a blend of strategic planning and resource management. Each player represents a major corporation vying for control over key resources and milestones that will grant victory points. The ultimate goal is not only to raise the temperature, oxygen levels, and ocean coverage but also to establish infrastructure across the solar system.
The gameplay revolves around acquiring project cards, which provide various bonuses and requirements. Players must manage their resources—MegaCredits, Steel, Titanium, Plants, Energy, and Heat—to fund these projects and build cities, oceans, and greenery on the game board. The hexagonal grid layout adds a dynamic element to tile placement, ensuring that each player's strategy is constantly challenged by the evolving landscape.
What sets Terraforming Mars apart is its intricate balance between cooperation and competition. While players work together in the terraforming process, they also vie for personal victory points through strategic card play and milestone claims. The game’s variable set-up and turn order mechanics ensure that no two plays are alike, offering high replayability and a deep sense of engagement.
1-5 120m⚖️ 3.3

RANK #13
Gaia Project
2017Gaia Project is a strategic space exploration game that challenges players to navigate the vast cosmos, terraform planets, and outmaneuver their opponents. Each of the fourteen factions has its own unique home planet and set of skills, allowing for diverse strategies as they compete to dominate the galaxy. The modular board system ensures each game offers fresh experiences, with ten sectors providing ample room for growth and development.
Players must balance their efforts in six key areas: Terraforming, Navigation, Artificial Intelligence, Gaiaforming, Economy, and Research. These focus on both immediate gains and long-term advancements, leading to powerful end-game bonuses that can tip the scales in your favor. The pass order turn structure adds an element of unpredictability, as players must carefully consider their moves before passing, ensuring constant engagement.
What sets Gaia Project apart is its deep strategic layer and high replay value. With multiple factions, tech trees, and variable set-ups, every game feels unique, making it a favorite among strategy enthusiasts. The inclusion of Transdimensional planets adds an extra layer of complexity, as players can transform these into Gaia planets for colonization, creating dynamic and ever-changing landscapes.
Gaia Project is perfect for those who enjoy complex, multi-faceted board games that reward thoughtful planning and tactical decision-making.
1-4 150m⚖️ 4.4

RANK #50
Underwater Cities is a strategic card game that challenges players to build and manage their own underwater cities. The goal is to create the most livable and prosperous underwater communities, each player representing one of the world's most powerful brains tasked with this monumental task. Players take turns claiming actions on the initiative track, moving their markers to gain advantages in turn order for future rounds. They can intake raw materials, build city domes, tunnels, farms, desalination devices, and laboratories, all while managing their resources through a complex network of routes and connections. The game's unique mechanics include end-game bonuses, hand management, income generation, and worker placement, making each playthrough a dynamic experience filled with strategic decisions. With nearly 220 cards divided into five types for varied use, players have ample opportunities to strategize and adapt their approaches, ensuring high replayability and deep engagement.
1-4 150m⚖️ 3.6

RANK #58
On Mars
2020On Mars is a strategic space exploration board game that challenges players to establish the first self-sustaining colony on the red planet. As chief astronaut for one of several private enterprises, your mission is to achieve both Department of Operations and Mars Exploration (D.O.M.E.) goals and your company's objectives. The game unfolds over multiple rounds, each divided into two phases: Colonization and Shuttle. During the Colonization Phase, players take turns performing actions based on their position—whether in orbit or on the Martian surface. In orbit, you can develop technologies, purchase supplies, and manage resources. On the surface, your focus shifts to constructing buildings, upgrading infrastructure, and exploring Mars with a rover. The Shuttle Phase allows for travel between the colony and the Space Station, enabling resource exchange and strategic planning.
The game's mechanics are rich and varied, including contracts, delayed purchases, tech trees, worker placement, and tile placement. These elements work together to create a dynamic and engaging experience that requires careful management of resources and long-term strategy. The goal is to build the most advanced and self-sustaining colony on Mars, ensuring its survival through the completion of missions and the accumulation of Opportunity Points (OP). The game's complexity and depth make it appealing for both solo play and multiplayer sessions, offering a high replay value due to its variable phase order and multiple pathways to victory.
On Mars is a compelling blend of space exploration and city building, making it an excellent choice for fans of science fiction and strategic board games. Its unique combination of mechanics and themes ensures that each playthrough offers new challenges and opportunities.
1-4 150m⚖️ 4.6

RANK #110
Beyond the Sun
2020Beyond the Sun is a strategic space civilization game that invites players to explore the vast expanse of the cosmos. In this cooperative yet competitive endeavor, you and your fellow explorers collectively decide the future of humanity as it ventures into the stars. The ultimate goal is to amass the most victory points by researching advanced technologies, expanding your economic influence, colonizing new systems, and completing various achievements that will shape the course of galactic history.
Each turn, players move their action pawns across a dynamic board, choosing from a variety of actions such as producing resources, growing populations, or trading goods. These actions unlock access to a tech tree with four distinct branches: scientific, economic, military, and commercial. By strategically selecting which technologies to pursue, you can enhance your faction's capabilities in areas like resource management, colonization, and military strength. The game’s mechanics blend worker placement with area majority strategies, creating a rich tapestry of decisions that affect not only your own progress but also the overall state of the galaxy.
Beyond the Sun excels at balancing collaboration and competition, making it an engaging experience for both solo players and those playing with up to four friends. The game’s high replayability stems from its variable nature, as each session presents unique challenges and opportunities based on the technologies researched and achievements claimed.
2-4 120m⚖️ 3.1

Reactor Rescue
2026In Reactor Rescue, players embark on a thrilling mission to save the city of Electra from an impending reactor failure. Each engineer must navigate through complex circuitry and strategic planning to repair their spacecraft before time runs out. The game challenges players with intricate hand management and pattern recognition as they collect and strategically place electronic components to build functional circuits. With each successful connection, players inch closer to completing their mission, but the race is on as multiple engineers vie for victory. The unique blend of real-world electronics and competitive gameplay ensures that every turn brings new surprises and challenges.
Players must carefully manage a limited supply of component cards, swapping and locking in resources to create working circuits. Each circuit card represents a specific blueprint, adding layers of complexity as players progress through the game. Physical testing of circuits adds an engaging tactile element, making each connection feel crucial. The first engineer to complete all their vehicle's repairs wins the race, but the journey is fraught with obstacles and opportunities for strategic advantage.
Reactor Rescue captivates with its educational core, blending real-world electronics with a compelling narrative that keeps players engaged from start to finish. Its unique combination of mechanics ensures high replayability, making it a must-have for both tech enthusiasts and board game aficionados alike.
1-4 120m⚖️ 3.5