Under Falling Skies

Under Falling Skies

Under Falling Skies is a solo game that started life as nine card print and play on the Board Game Geek forums. This retail release sees major upgrades to the gameplay as it breaks free of the print and play restrictions.

Setting the game up instantly brings space invaders to mind as you have five columns which alien invaders will move down towards the surface of the earth. You are the commander of an underground bunker and will issue orders via dice placement that not only powers your actions but also the speed at which the standard invader ships move. The motherships advance is more predictable moving one space down at the end of a turn - unless you cause it too move more!

Your underground facility starts off small but can be expanded as the game goes on, offering more options and better versions of them. At the start of a turn you will roll all five dice, three silver and two white, before placing a dice into the room you wish to use. Each column can only hold one die and after you have placed it you must move any ships in that column the value shown on the die placed.
If you placed a white dice you may reroll the other dice before placing more. Rooms will allow you to gain power, shoot down ships, hinder their movement and research the aliens. This last one is important because it is how to win the game.

The central decision of which dice to place where and when is pleasingly difficult. You are always aware of the sacrifices you are taking so even when you are getting what you need, it’s painful to advance the alien ships, knowing if you’d been less greedy you might have been better off.

To keep things interesting there are various boards including to increase the difficulty and a four chapter campaign featuring new mechanics and gameplay options. Under Falling Skies is a great package, and one that will win over most people to solo games.

Players: 1 Time: 20-40 mins Age: 12+