The Inside Scoop on Gaming

If you are interested in space exploration and the race to the moon this is the game for you.

The game begins in the late 1950's, where each player represents the US, USSR, Europe or Asia. The idea is to build a space program that will take you to the moon and back. Like the real space programs you must choose how you want to get there and decide how risky you want your program to be. Either way you start small. First a satellite a manned sub-orbital, manned orbital, EVA, moon probes, etc.

All research is done via event cards or by purchasing research dice. Nothing is guaranteed and the budget in the game can be variable. Your program gains money for its successes, specifically being the first. Perks to your budget are significantly less for being second or third banana. But if things go bad you take hits to the budget (like scrubbing a mission or having some sort of failed mission). Then do you take risks, skip steps or play conservative? Budget is also swayed by random cards, ranging from get to the moon in three years with an expanded budget to social programs cut you budget by 20 billion.

The game is chart heavy, but flows well. There are many ways to get to the moon, but that is half the battle. You got to get back in one piece, without fail. Otherwise you got to try again...even if your budget and safety just declined.

It may not be for everyone. Heck it is out of print, so you gotta try and find this game! But it is fun, somewhat heady for beer and pretzles, but not too hardcore either. Its just right.

(Reviewers note; If you ever played the computer game, Buzz Aldrin's Race Into Space, you have played Liftoff. But the boardgame is about 10 times better, less buggy and fun to play).

Style: 4 (Classy and well done)
Substance: 4 (Meaty)

Liftoff
Author: (Forgot, Sorry) Category: Boardgame Company/Publisher: Task Force Line: n/a Capsule Review by Wes Johnson on 08/06/99. Genre tags: Historical	If you are interested in space exploration and the race to the moon this is the game for you. The game begins in the late 1950's, where each player represents the US, USSR, Europe or Asia. The idea is to build a space program that will take you to the moon and back. Like the real space programs you must choose how you want to get there and decide how risky you want your program to be. Either way you start small. First a satellite a manned sub-orbital, manned orbital, EVA, moon probes, etc. All research is done via event cards or by purchasing research dice. Nothing is guaranteed and the budget in the game can be variable. Your program gains money for its successes, specifically being the first. Perks to your budget are significantly less for being second or third banana. But if things go bad you take hits to the budget (like scrubbing a mission or having some sort of failed mission). Then do you take risks, skip steps or play conservative? Budget is also swayed by random cards, ranging from get to the moon in three years with an expanded budget to social programs cut you budget by 20 billion. The game is chart heavy, but flows well. There are many ways to get to the moon, but that is half the battle. You got to get back in one piece, without fail. Otherwise you got to try again...even if your budget and safety just declined. It may not be for everyone. Heck it is out of print, so you gotta try and find this game! But it is fun, somewhat heady for beer and pretzles, but not too hardcore either. Its just right. (Reviewers note; If you ever played the computer game, Buzz Aldrin's Race Into Space, you have played Liftoff. But the boardgame is about 10 times better, less buggy and fun to play). Style: 4 (Classy and well done) Substance: 4 (Meaty)