Post-apocalyptic fun: a review of state 51

One of our recent acquisitions is 51st State, a Toy Vault card game based on the world of Neuroshima (like Neuroshima Hex). There has been quite a bit of buzz about this one, often comparing it to Race for the Galaxy. In fact, many claim that it will effectively replace Race for the Galaxy in their collection. I want to share how we feel about the game after a handful of sessions under our belt. For those of you unfamiliar with the world of Neuroshima, it is a post-apocalyptic North America with various factions vying for power. It was originally based on the Polish role-playing game Neuroshima. 51st State designer Ignacy Trzewiczek is also one of the designers of the role-playing game Neuroshima and Neuroshima Hex. For those of you familiar with Fallout, what I have seen and read is very much like the world that is depicted in that video game series. It’s an interesting setting, and the card art does a great job of conveying the post-apocalyptic theme.

The rules of the game are not too complex, although I must point out that the rule book is not that great. It snakes a bit, and some things are not mentioned at all times, but not explained until the end. With that said, a couple of readings and a look at some online resources got us started. It begins with players selecting cards from several established at the beginning of the turn. After card selection, players earn income and then take turns executing actions. Actions can be playing a location (more on that later), using a production location with a worker, playing a leader, rebuilding a location, or a couple of other minor actions. Play continues until all players have passed. For the most part, the game is a multiplayer solitaire, much like Race for the Galaxy, or even Dominion.

Most of the cards you will see are locations, and locations are very interesting in this game. Each location can be reproduced in three ways, each with an associated color. The most basic function is the target, and it is to put the card in your playing area as a location; Doing so can result in one of several benefits, such as giving an income from a resource, or being able to produce victory points or having a trait that remains in effect. Some are production locations where you, or sometimes an opponent, can play a worker for their benefit. Another option is to make a deal, which is blue action. This will give you a modest income from your resource (or sometimes a card or victory points) each turn. The final action, indicated in red, is to conquer the location. This will result in a windfall of resources, cards, or victory points. This is a definite force of the game. Every time you look at a card, you have to decide how you want to play it. It’s a very interesting and highly thematic tactical consideration for the world.

Each player takes on the role of one of the world’s factions. There are four: Mutants, New York, Appalachian Federation, and Merchant’s Guild. Each faction is trying to establish dominance by controlling areas. Each one plays a little differently. The differences are not huge, but rather thematic. This is reflected in how they spend the resources to perform the three basic actions to deal with a location, and the income they receive in the resources present in the game: scrap metal, building materials, weapons and fuel. As you might expect, each has an advantage over one of the basic location actions.

I must say that I have enjoyed this game. Rule book problems aside, it’s a great game. There is certainly a bit of randomness with the limited availability of cards per turn, but the cards seem balanced enough that you don’t have a situation where you have to fish for cards to implement your chosen strategy. It has enough complexity to be interesting, without dictating a dominant strategy. In a previous blog post I talked about the “sweet spot” of games when it comes to fun versus time spent, and I think this game does a good job of getting it right. 51st State receives a strong recommendation from me. I encourage you to try it!