Skymines

Alexander Pfister is not chasing an entirely new idea here: Skymines is, at its core, a careful reworking of Mombasa, with clearer presentation and modest rules tuning. Still, after the rather limp Boonlake and the unremarkable Maracaibo expansion, this familiar design lands on the table with far more conviction. The science projects finally have artwork that makes sense; where Mombasa's books were visual clutter, the player board no longer feels like I have brought a stack of office papers home.

On the original map, the game retains Mombasa's familiar shape: you develop your position through the choices on your personal board while competing for space on the map, with area control carrying real strategic weight. This is not a radical reinvention; it is the old recipe in smarter clothes, with a little care given to the seams.

The second map changes rather more than its presence in the box suggests. The emphasis moves away from territorial control and towards helium and research on the player board, making for a more inward-looking, almost laboratory-like game of multiplayer solitaire. Bot and solo modules are also included, a welcome answer to one of Mombasa's troubles at lower player counts.

I personally prefer the original map, because that is where I feel the other people at the table most keenly. But the alternative is not merely a spare sheet of cardboard: it is a sufficiently different game to feel like two versions for the price of one. Skymines is a quietly excellent return to a very good idea, and I recommend it without hesitation.

Updated session

The later play confirmed that the new map is not decorative extra content but a genuine shift in priorities. My preference did not move from the original map, but the value of the whole package rose precisely because it offers both experiences.