Moon Colony Bloodbath

Moon Colony Bloodbath won me over at first in the most mature and thoroughly reasoned way possible: it says “Bloodbath” on the box. For those of us who remember our Ameritrash youth, that was practically an instant blind buy. Thankfully, the game lives up to its title’s playful tone: it is a silly beer-and-pretzels game that does not take itself too seriously and gets you into the mood quickly.

At its core, there is a slight engine-building feel. You build something that gives the impression of developing, without the game turning into a heavy or demanding undertaking. It has a few interesting mechanical ideas, enough that it does not feel entirely like a random excuse for laughs and destruction.

Its pace is quick, and interaction mostly arrives through the expected bloodshed. This is not a game where you sit back and admire some deep, finely tuned system; it is a game for things to happen, for the table to laugh, and for everyone to move on without the process weighing them down.

I would not call it a serious piece, nor would I recommend it as something everyone absolutely needs to buy at full price. Still, it is an enjoyable way to spend time. If you find it second-hand for around half of what it usually goes for, adding it to your collection would not be a bad move at all.