SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence

Having played many different games over the recent years, as I dove into the hobby right before COVID-19 hit, I've certainly been able to figure out the kind of games that I like. Basically, I really enjoy Euro-style board games that have a good amount of crunch and decision space, giving you options to achieve progression, and having a really well done theme to it. A great example of this is in Lost Ruins of Arnak, where you're archeologists exploring an island to uncover the mythical ruins of the game's title. The theme ties to the mechanics well, you're sending out workers to gather resources so you can pay for going up tracks that get more benefits, all using a mini deckbuilding mechanic of multi-use cards. All this to say, I really enjoy a good, thematic Euro.

From the same publisher, Czech Games Edition, I heard the rumblings of a hot new Euro game that was getting demoed at Essen Game Fair 2024. Watching the various coverage of people going and talking about their experience, SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence was one of the few recurring names out there of games people were excited for. Eventually reviews were coming out, coverage by The Dice Tower, Shut Up & Sit Down, and No Pun Included solidified that this would be my kind of game.

Each multi-use cards present different opportunities, and unlike some other Euros that have huge card counts, say Ark Nova, it avoids the issue of hunting for specific cards. Even though every card is unique, generally the cards just give you alternative methods of doing the same actions you're taking in the game. Sometimes they'll have additional scoring methods or mini-objectives to accomplish for points or other bonuses.

But that's the thing, while you have a range of things that you'll want to do, and the goals of what you're trying to do is clear, you will need to crunch that out from the resources available to you. I mention Lost Ruins of Arnak not only because of it being from the same publisher but also it has the similar feeling of wrangling small amounts of resources to get all that you can done within the game's 5 rounds. You'll be searching the pathways of actions to see what'll get you the most bang for your buck along with what sets you up for the future.

Similar to Wingspan, all the major actions tend to work together or feed each other for those 3 major breakthroughs. You're going to be doing the following:

• Launching probes, moving them across the map, and sending them planets as orbiting satellites or landing them on planets for points and bonuses.
• Scanning the stars for data, and once enough scans have been done then evaluating the sector for area majority.
• Filling up your supercomputer with data and eventually processing it for a breakthrough.

And eventually, once you have enough unique breakthroughs you'll have that discovery of an alien species that adds a unique layer to the game. It adds an interesting wrinkle to the existing gameplay, inticing players to pivot their attention for rewards and bonuses.

SETI has broken into my top 10 list for being a game that I think about well after the game has ended. It's like a happy fusion between Lost Ruins of Arnak and Ark Nova, with a sci-fi theme instead.