Skymines

The once “Great” Alexander, at least according to my group’s tastes, seems to be going through something of a creative crisis. After the nice but bloodless Boonlake and the unremarkable Maracaibo expansion, rather than bringing us something entirely new, he gave us a refreshed version of his first major hit, Mombasa. Still, Skymines is not one of those rethemes that merely swaps the cover: it looks distinctly better on the table, with artwork that finally helps the eye instead of putting it through an ordeal.

At its core, it remains very close to the Mombasa formula, with only minor rule adjustments, as far as I can remember. The meaningful change for me is that the old books, which nobody could read without straining, have been replaced by science projects with artwork that actually makes sense. A small change in theory, an enormous relief in practice.

Interaction and strategic priorities depend heavily on the map. On the original map, area control carries more weight, while the new map shifts the game toward helium and research on the personal player board. That makes it more “scientific” and much more multiplayer solitaire: players build their own engines and routes, creating a different feel from Mombasa even if the foundation remains recognizable.

Overall, I recommend it without hesitation. You get an already strong foundation in a much more pleasant and functional presentation, a second map that offers a real reason to replay, and bot/solo modules that address one of Mombasa’s weak points at lower player counts. Two versions in one box is not a bad deal at all.

Updated session

In the second play, we tried the new map, and that is where it became clear that this is not merely a visual refresh. It changes the strategy and gameplay substantially, shifting the emphasis from area control to helium and research on the player board. I still personally prefer the original map, but the new one is not inferior; it is simply multiplayer solitaire heaven. My initial positive impression not only held up, but gained a better explanation: you genuinely get two distinct experiences for the price of one.