Star Realms Review - Still Worth It?

Join us as we take a look at the deckbuilding card game Star Realms.

[JohnWard-tepk]

This game, specifically the FRONTIERS box with the co-op villains, is the best deckbuilding teacher I have ever owned. It's simple and straightforward and since you are working cooperatively, the new players can see the benefits of : themed buying bringing more actions and power, why a deckbuilding player cuts cards from a deck (especially Vipers), and why even if you pick a theme for your strategy, you might splash a little of another group in for added synergy. I played this game this morning with my 87 year-old mother, who likes the cooperative nature and understands buying for thematic strength. She also loves the Smashbots villain, one of the BGG fan-generated villains.

[theshogunstein]

We still play all the time, base and frontiers

[JustACuteFox]

I played the app version online about 1500 times. There's depth there but you can eventually start to bang up against the skill ceiling with enough practice.

[CFThurrock]

Absolutely love this game. Especially as you can play 1 player against a “boss” who follows a set of rules. So many ways to play it now with the expansion packs that add rules like sharing turns etc. seriously, one of my favourites to kill 30-45 mins.

[jon]

I only found out about Star Realms last year. We think it is fantastic. We have the Frontiers version.

[stuartshannon]

I use this in my game shop to teach Deck Building so when they want more they can play Tyrants of the Underdark, or maybe even Dune Imperium after playing a worker placement game. I think it does it what it does well since a lot of people i teach it have never played a deck builder before. solid review. the end game comes very fast, for sure.

[kevinbabb]

Having previously owned two copies of this (in order to get it to play four players), I think Shards of Infinity is a better game.

Shards has a mechanic called mercenaries so one can buy and immediately execute a card from the offer without becoming part of the deck which eliminates deck bloat and still makes money cards useful in late game.

And it has a power up mechanic called mastery where card effects become more powerful the higher the mastery level.

[crimsoner]

i just got my copy of Star Trek Star Realms. i wish the art in that version was as vibrant as the original. I definitely like how easy it is to teach and that it's nice and small. that and the fact that it plays so quick, means i can forgive some of its flaws.

[falsestuff]

Star Realms is not a dumb game. There is such a nuance to how you adjust your tactics throughout the game and react to / prevent the purchases of your opponents. To each opponent you need to create a specific balance in your deck and for that you need to be aware of basically all the cards in the deck. Timing / pacing is also essential. Dominion as a reference is nice but Magic the Gathering is just as much of an influence on this game and in my opinion, this is much more fun to play than the referenced games... It's like you have the best of both worlds. After a couple of hundreds of games and owning the base set, Frontiers and Colony Wars as well (we have these three shuffled together into a big pile of deck), I highly recommend giving this game a chance and not letting be discouraged by this review.

[FPMarcel]

Can highly recommend Eternal: Chronicles of the throne to anyone enjoying these types of deckbuilders. One of our most played games ever (also thanks to it's size). And the one expansion it has is great as well, mitigating bad draws.

[spleyland]

Board game geeza. So good to see a straightforward review video with some comedy and not delivered by a neck bearded American that spends more time in the rule book than he does in his parent’s basement. Legend.

[julianbailey]

I taught my 7 year old Star Realms today and by changing the amount of authority that we have, we can have a long or short game, and I can handicap myself for a satisfying challenge. Not a great game, but it is very good within its niche.

[koonfasa]

I loved it so much I sfoiled my package. The Nova set is ridiculous, but i filled it with all the regular expansions and my little package has remained just that.

[TheTobaccoman]

Leaving while watching but I love this game. Warts and all, it’s good for new players or very casual players. Always a good time every time I’ve played it.

[matttrafton]

I've made house rules for pitting Realms vs SFBF/ star fleet battle force. Ranges make it interesting.

[Chriss]

I am considered selling our copy. We tried a few custom rules and changing the cards used but it still is quite random very often.

[CFThurrock]

One rule that would significantly improve the game, I feel, is if you could maintain a certain number of cards in your hand each turn.

[rudyjansen]

The best 1 vs 1 deckbuilder imho. ❤ it!

[yannber]

I agree with your comments. SR is a fast pacing minimalistic deck building game. It was released short after Dominion, which created the genre. It let aside the way Dominon used victory points which constitutes the pivot decision of seach game... when do i trigger the rush on provinces ? too soon but it will hinder the building of my engine, and too late can be I'm dead... In starRealm there is no time management.. it's just a takedat game. No need for expansions.. SR is just what it is. You buy it, you played some tenths of games.. and that's it.
The other assumed difference with Dominion is the random availability of cards in the river. And this can be frustrating.. but IMO it was chosen on purpose. Luck can be frustrating or can bring a shot of adrenaline when the exact type of cards you wanted appears in the river. This being said, we've played around fifty + games with my wife, and she must have 75 - 80% of victories. So luck can't explain all... Although i usually go with : yeah, if you did not draw that blue card that restored your points, i would have won ...

[badboibubby]

Speaking of small portable card games, have you had a chance to try Compile?