Game overview
The Rebels and the Empire face off in this deckbuilding card game, as players face off buying cards from the Galaxy Row and dealing combat damage from the cards played that turn.
Components
142 of 63.5 x 88 (standard playing card size) and 71 cubes to denote damage, resources and the position of the Force in the Balance.
This is a Fantasy Flight Games game so the cards are very good quality, much of the art has been recycled from previous Star Wars Fantasy Flight Games, not really an issue but does make the new pieces stand out all the more.
The cubes are a decent size and weight and easily differentiated from each other.
Box is a decent size for the game, not much wasted space, but will cause issues should they decide to expand on the game, and considering this is Fantasy Flight Games, they would not hesitate on expanding the game should it be successful.
Interesting Mechanics
Unlike other competitive deckbuilding games, this game includes a push/pull “system” with the Balance of the Force. The extra bonuses for having the Force leaning your way is a nice addition to add something else to keep track of while trying to defeat your opponent.
Including cubes to symbolise damage to your base makes perfect sense but also including cubes to keep track of your resources for that turn? A stroke of genius. Because in these deckbuilding games there are so many instances of gaining resources as you progress through the game, trying to keep track of them all can be extremely difficult, but having cubes you can add and take away as your turn progresses so you never lose track can be a Godsend.
Balance
Each player starts out with identical starting decks, the cards are exactly the same for both players except with different names and art (Imperial names and art and Rebel names and art respectively).
What shifts the balance between the players is what cards come into the Galaxy Row, if there is an unfortunate shuffle it can lead to the top section of the Galaxy Deck being strictly Rebel cards or vice versa. Though this isn’t as bad as it sounds due to the rewards for destroying your opponent’s faction’s cards. Though it is better to obtain more cards, preventing your opponent from getting cards is always useful.
Also the cost for getting rid of your opponents faction cards from the Galaxy Row is taken from your combat potential that turn so therefore if the replacement card is one of your faction’s then you can purchase it immediately, assuming you have enough resources for it.
Final Thoughts
Star Wars The Deckbuilding Game plays well and is an enjoyable enough time but if you have played games similar, e.g. Star Realms, it doesn’t really feel like anything special.
Though if you have never played a Deckbuilding game, it is a serviceable game to introduce players into the mechanics. If Fantasy Flight Games were to release expansions similar to the way Star Realms expanded its game then I think this game has more value, but as it is now I don’t think it is worth getting if you already have competitive deckbuilders, like Dominion, Clank!, and Star Realms, but if you are a group of 2 people and you both are massive Star Wars Nerds then this game would be better for you than Star Realms.
Though I am considering stealing the resource cubes to be used in other deckbuilding games.
Let’s hope that this is supported for longer than the previous Star Wars game from Fantasy Flight…