Designers: Michał Jagodziński and Kamil Langie
Artist: Jarosław Wajs
Publisher: Thistroy Games
Sometimes is good to take a look at not only new games, but ones that flew under people’s radars. I feel like that is the case with Micro Cosmos. I was a big fan of the light but compelling game Thistroy previously releases, Micro City. Is their take on space also good?
Gameplay
On your turn, first you may upgrade your ship, then you must move. After moving, you may at up to two cards with a very interesting system. You have two rows of 3 cards in your cargo, and each cards have colors on the bottom and top. If the color of your location matches the color of the part of the card touching the cargo, you get to activate it. Cards played or used from the bottom row go to the top, ones on top are discarded.
Then you may take one or two actions, depending on your location. You can gather resources, find and settle survivors for more resources and points, add colonies and trading posts that get you points and also increase your terraforming capabilities and get you also points.
Terraforming is the last action, where in each planet you may spend resources to contribute to that planet. Each resource contribute bumps you up in the track for that planet, and when all have been added, it is terraformed. Then each point on the track gets you a vp, and the ones who contributed the most get a bonus. Game ends when either 3 or 4 planets have been terraformed.
Solo Gameplay
Automa has their own dedicated ship and deck. Their turn couldn’t be simpler. Turn a card, do what it says. Resource decisions have just a couple of rules, and it’s mostly doing the same things as you. In my experience, scoring for the Automa has been very close to my own pretty much all games, which feels like a very well tested effort.
Components
I am always curious on how small box games deal with component usage and storage, but this one is quite good. It’s a small but tall box, with a great tray system which makes setting up and tearing down very easy. Symbology is mostly clear and, while it’s not the easiest rulebook to read, I felt it left me with little doubts.
A few minor quibbles, though. First, tokens are obviously small, so it’s a game susceptible to bumps, so be aware if you, like me, are clumsy. Second, a way to keep track of your terraforming rate would be good to avoid counting your colonies and trading posts every time. Finally, the reference card is quite good, but could have a quick description with costs of each action. You get the hang of it easily, but it would have been helpful.
Conclusion
I was expecting a light game like Micro City, but this is a much more involved beast. It’s very much a resource management game, where you spend as quickly as you earn them. It’s also a lightn and ing fast ordeal where every opportunity counts. As far as little box big game goes, there is very little here not to recommend. Micro Cosmos is a game that leaves me impressed after every game.
Score: 9/10
Let's Game More 