The Search for Planet X Review - Clever Deduction In An Infinite Universe

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At the edge of our solar system, a dark planet may lurk. In 2015, astronomers estimated a large distant planet could explain the unique orbits of dwarf planets and other objects. Since then, astronomers have been scanning the sky, hoping to find this planet.

In The Search for Planet X, players take on the role of astronomers who use observations and logical deductions to search for this hypothetical planet. Each game, the companion app randomly selects an arrangement of objects and a location for Planet X following predefined logic rules.

TimeStamps:
0:00:00 - Overview
0:03:40 - Ease of Play
0:04:34 - Player Count
0:05:32 - What I Liked
0:07:49 - What I Don't Like
0:09:44 - What I Can See Others Not Liking
0:10:55 - Final Thoughts
0:12:54 - Awkward Guests

5.0 - My absolutely favorite games. You can pry them out of my cold dead hands.
4.5 - Love this game! At the same time missing something that would make it a 5. Could be hard to table, lacking variability, a little light, etc.
4.0 - Really great game, almost always keeping, although has meaningful complaints as to what takes away from the experience.
3.5 - Really enjoyed, don't love it, may lose out to better games but the idea of never playing again is a bit sad.
3.0 - A good game, would play and suggest with the right people, if I never played it again wouldn't lose any sleep.
2.5 - A game I'd play again , but will never suggest it myself
2.0 - A game I don't want to play again
1.5 - A game I can't find any reason to recommend
1.0 - A game that is just bad.

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[Nayr]

This is my personal best logic deduction game to date, and the app integration definitely puts it many steps above others. I would argue that the multiplayer interaction is a tad bit more pronounced than you give it credit for. Correct theories give you points at the risk of giving information to other players. You can also take a gamble on a theory based on what others have been surveying/researching. I can agree it's not the most interactive, but it's a game I would still enjoy playing multiplayer. Either way, thanks for the review!

[TheRedPolyhedral]

A great review. Clear, concise and helpful. You've inspired me to move it up the waiting list!

[vwilliams]

All of your negatives remind me of playing Clue: Master Detective (best version of Clue for me—more rooms, weapons, suspects) which is a game we enjoyed greatly through the years. I sold it a few years ago because it wasn’t good for 2 player, which has been how we play mostly now. This sounds perfect for us since it will be good for 2. Thanks for the honest reviews you give.

[steveowen]

I was curious about this game - thanks for the review.

[zemo]

Ayy love to see it!! Can’t wait to watch this. I love this game

[AnonymousOtters]

Just got this for Christmas, very excited to play, especially working in planetary science myself. Looks like one of the better logic deduction games, even if the multiplayer sentiment is true.

[que-tangclan]

You know what I want for this game. Some expansion like Don’t Look Up. Where you find a planet killer and plot it destination to shoot at it with missiles.

[brianb]

Donna here. Bought this for my daughter for Christmas. She's an engineer (a math/science girl) and I knew she'd love the deduction. I also know my husband (also an engineer) and I would also like it and...WE DO! We played it on Christmas day. My daughter won (as I expected), but I can in second! That was a surprise. My husband came in third, 6 points behind me. I was 2 points behind my daughter. Looking forward to playing it again.

[wojciechgizynski]

My current favourite deduction game. I would be very interested to hear your top10 logical deduction games Alex.

[Luke_L]

This might be my new favorite logical deduction game, although I only have 2 plays. I love the theme - as a Planetary Society member, I got a cool coin with the Kickstarter.
I did get lucky my first game where my initial clues allowed me to find the asteroids on turn 2.
I’m perfectly fine with multiplayer solo, so that doesn’t bother me. I would say that there is a race for theories and finding Planet X, altho maybe that is more “soft” player interaction.
I got rid of my copy of Awkward Guests due to the interaction because I really disliked how people could choose to withhold cards or pass the same ones repeatedly. But others might enjoy that.
Anyway, great game and review!

[tymoore]

I got this one for Xmas and am excited to give it a try! And it’s interesting how tastes differ. Every time you said multiplayer solitaire, I saw that as a huge plus instead of a negative 🤣

[uplift-yourdailypickup]

Glad there's other gamers out there that aren't fans of multiplayer solitaire. I find myself gravitating to older games because there tends to be a lot more player interaction. My theory is new games are being designed from the ground up with solo play in mind and that's why we are seeing so many new games with low interaction (seems to me at least). I've tried Planet X solo once and enjoyed it but haven't tried it with others yet. If multiplayer is lackluster I might sell this one off and stick with Cryptid.

[GameBrigade]

Literally just played this game last night finally.

[mohammedharoon]

That board tho is gorgeous. This video does not do it justice. Seeing it in person is something else.

[Mmtruempy]

Omg I haven’t watched the review just yet, but I’m hoping you enjoyed this game because it is one of my favorites! I love playing this game solo and with others. The app makes this so simple to play :D watching the review now :)

[honigtatzefell-brettspiele]

You are such a likeable dude. OK, you talk a bit fast, but otherwise, I like watching your videos, especially because you criticise!

[que-tangclan]

Hey, my daughter loves this game. Myself and my son also like it. We enjoy tracking other peoples moves as it can give hints what’s bodies are in which sector when it’s publishing time. At the same time, you can publish false findings to toy with your opponents with little penalty.

I wanted more variety in this genre so I just ordered cryptid. I look forward to checking out your recommendation of awkward guests and I have been watching your Mind MGMT videos which look like a cool alternative

[Felipe.curiel]

I really love how simple it is. But I'll only play it solo or 2-player. And, I refuse to play it with AP-gamers, I don't know if it's only me but sometimes the turns are really slow because you're really burning your mind trying to make conclusions.

I love it, it's my "relaxing/stressing mental-exercise" game.

[chrismiller]

I would think Alchemists would address the multiplayer solitaire feelings since there is a worker placement component as well. I am hoping to play Planet X with my son this week so I can finally compare and it still might have a place of I want to teach a deduction game without teaching worker placement at the same time. It does look like this could be a little more thinky on the deduction part though.

[aba]

I don't agree with that nobody bothers to track information what other players are doing - we always do that! it is crucial to end game quickly or have more clues where are objects that will give you more points. Of course you can play without tracking other players moves but then it is more family friendly game. The same with Clue - (beside all bad mechanics in that game) you can just ask questions considering only cards in your hands, but thanks to tracking what happens in other players turns you can get a lot of informations before your next turn starts. Here during submitting a theory you can have a clue where other objects are according to what thesis other players announce - of course they could be wrong and you won't know till peer review but still those are very important information that can help you solve all galaxy mysteries before other players