Star Wars also exists in board games: here are the 3 best

Like all great cinematographic works, Star Wars drags its procession of derivative products (until they become cash machines for Disney). And, board games are no exception. Luckily, many of them are very good. Be careful though, they are often out of proportion to the original product: long, complex, bulky and expensive.

Here are the three board games that best capture, in our opinion, the essence of the saga. Those that will allow you to relive the adventures of your favorite heroes or villains most faithfully. To be complete, it is also necessary to mention Outer Borderwhich we unfortunately did not have the opportunity to play, but of which we read and heard a lot of good things.

And what better occasion than the airing of a new Star Wars series, Andorto dive back into these classics?

Assault on the Empire

On one side, the player who controls the powerful and numerous forces of the Empire. Opposite, the players each embodying a rebel. And in the middle, a set of tiles assembled like a puzzle, which constitutes the playing field of the current mission.

The game alternates between a rebel’s turn, then the Empire’s turn, then a rebel again, and so on.

The rebels are entitled to two actions in turn: move their miniature, interact with an element of the scenery (push a crate, open a door, etc.), rest, perform their special action, or, of course, attack an enemy. The imperial player too, but applied to all miniatures of the same group.

Added to this are special unit-specific abilities, hero stress management to accomplish feats, lines of sight, etc. In short, the set is very complete and allows you to perfectly project yourself into a close combat such as we see in the movies.

Each mission describes specific objectives for each side. They are different and varied depending on the scenario played. A skirmish mode is also offered, where two players compete after having formed their respective armies. It has the merit of existing, but it’s clearly not our favorite game mode.

No, the most exciting thing is to play in the campaign. A succession of missions linked together by a progressive plot. The characters gain experience as they play, and acquire new items and skills. There aren’t really any losers at the end of a mission, but some outcomes are more favorable to one side or the other. The goal is to win the last mission.

The games are not too long (allow two hours sometimes anyway) and the rules, once assimilated, rather fluid. A very well-designed tutorial is offered, to get started smoothly, and the cooperative aspect allows you to help each other without being completely left behind.

Its lifespan is colossal, since the basic box contains thirty missions, and a campaign only includes eleven, making them all unique.

In short, with Assault on the Empireit’s a long-term adventure that awaits you, an exhilarating experience over several play sessions. If you are a Star Wars fan, have the time and a group of motivated players, this is THE game not to be played. to fail.

• Assault on the Empire is a game by Justin Kemppainen, Corey Konieczka and Jonathan Ying
• Published by Fantasy Flight Games
• For 2 to 5 players from 14 years old
• For games of about 1 to 2 hours
• Priced at €89.95 at Philibert

Rebellion

In the middle of the table, the entire galaxy, or almost, on a huge game board.

On the one hand, the Empire, armed to the teeth, and whose troops are advantageously distributed over the different systems. The rebels on the other, with much more modest forces, barely a few units. But with a huge advantage: their base is kept secret. And that’s all the salt of the game.

Throughout the game, the objective of the two camps is totally different. For the Empire, it is a question of unearthing and destroying the enemy base. The rebels, on the other hand, must delay the deadline long enough to extend their influence.

In addition to the armed troops, each side has emblematic characters from the series, more or less effective in different skills (diplomacy, intelligence, etc.).

The game alternates phases of programming, where you assign your characters to secret missions, moving troops, leading to combat on the ground or in space, and deploying newly built units using resources produced on loyal systems or submitted.

Do you like Star Wars and want to rewrite history in your own way? Rebellion is a playful summary of all that this universe can offer. The main characters, dozens of vehicle, soldier and ship figurines, the most famous planets, missions, etc. But all of this has a price. First of all in money. But also in time, whether for learning the rules or the games themselves.

But once in the game, it literally grabs us. We are caught up in the atmosphere and we do not see the time passing, despite a dizzying duration. Back and forth to the rules are frequent during the first games. But the game is well worth the candle. Especially since the whole thing turns out to be rather fluid in the end.

Firepower and intuition on one side. Bluff, nerve and risk-taking on the other. Rebellion is an asymmetrical game, that’s one of its strengths. But it is not the only one. The thematic rendering and the atmosphere are also.

In short, it is like the saga: huge, thrilling, exciting. And long. But above all, essential.

• Rebellion is a game by Corey Konieczka
• Published by Fantasy Flight Games
• For 2 to 4 players from 14 years old
• For games of about 3 to 4 hours
• Priced at €89.95 at Philibert

The verdict

We liked

• A fun summary of the Star Wars universe
• The game grabs us
• The asymmetry between the two camps

We liked less

• Long, very long parts
• Bushy rules

X Wing

Again, two sides clash: a squadron of two TIE fighters faces a lone X-Wing. The goal is of course to destroy the opposing ships.

The maneuvers are chosen secretly and simultaneously. They are characterized by direction (straight line, slight turn, tight or U-turn) and speed, and are more or less difficult to perform depending on the ship concerned. On the other hand, the order of activation of the ships depends on the ability of the pilots.

If, as a result of a movement, a target is within range and within your arc of fire, you can try to inflict damage on it. We find here all the aspects dog fight movies.

Many other small rules come to bring variety and possibilities of play: stress, shields, critical damage, obstacles, secondary weapons, etc. Everything is done to immerse us in the atmosphere.

Who has never dreamed of reliving the best space combat of the saga? This is what offers you X Wing. And he does it very well.

At the hardware level first, since the game contains magnificent ship figurines, detailed and nicely painted. The immersion is total.

But above all mechanically, because the parts are tense, nervous, dynamic. The ships twirl in all directions thanks to the various maneuvers, the laser beams, proton torpedoes and other projectiles fuse at all costs.

But beware, if the basic box allows you to have fun on a few games, you are quickly tempted to increase the size of your squadrons. Or even to play with more people, as a team.

Fortunately (or unfortunately for your bank account), the publisher has thought of everything and dozens of additional ships are available, to allow you to experience epic battles. Obviously, each brings its share of abilities, new pilots, specific weapons. In short, everything you need to increase the diversity of the games.

The rules take a little getting used to, like all the games on this list, but it’s the most accessible of the three. Compared to the other two titles in this selection, X Wing also has the advantage of offering quick games, one hour at most.

In short, a nervous and addictive game, perfectly reproducing the best space combat of the saga.

• X Wing is a game by Jason Little
• Published by Fantasy Flight Games and Atomic Mass Games
• For 2 players from 14 years old
• For games of about 30 to 45 minutes
• Priced at €35.95 at Philibert

The verdict

We liked

• Very nice figurines
• Fast and nervous parts
• Dozens of extensions to enrich your games…

We liked less

• …and ruin your bank account

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