Planet B

I really liked Planet B as a grimily entertaining story about major contractors in a futuristic city. There is plenty to do, buildings to put up, VIP status and glory to chase, and, above all, that pleasant feeling that the table is not quietly playing its own personal solitaire.

Each round, we choose a set of actions, and those choices determine where we push our plan. The usual route is to build buildings and then send workers to work in them, gradually setting up a little engine building alongside the pursuit of glory and VIP status.

The interaction is not merely decorative: the decisions around the table and the election element provide reasons for conversation and trash talking. The rules are easy to explain and the flow is enjoyable to play, although I would like the election phase to be more polished; as it stands, it feels like a point that could connect better with the rest.

The thorn—or the appeal, depending on the player—is the scoring, which is recklessly ameritrashy and leaves room for random moments along the lines of, “Did you draw the good building? BLTG.” Someone will say that this too belongs to the broader strategy; I say that if you care more about juicy gameplay and table talk than about who won once the beans are counted, it is worth seeking out. But if you are a serious gamer who wants a strictly fair final tally, you should probably keep your distance: there is a real chance it will annoy you.