Buffalo Games - Apollo Games (NASA) - Long Play Strategy Game - Great for Game Night - Space Mission

Having studied history and knowing things about Apollo, I find this game absolutely accurate, not in terms of mechanics, but the feelings these mechanics generate.* In the 1960s astronauts had an abstract industrial panel in the cockpit where they had to do abstract things to make the ship to do what it needed to do. Some people complain about the abstract tasks with dice and tokens in this game. Congratulations, now you know what real astronauts must have felt in these missions.* Some people complain about the limitations in communication between Houston and the astronauts in this game. In real life communications were limited. It is not like Houston could fax or send a JPG file with a diagram of what to do. This is covered in the game with limited communication. Another simulationist side of the game.* Some people complain about replayability. It happens that Gemini and Apollo missions had a mission profile. It is not like suddenly they want to fly to Pluto. So yes, replayability is different in the sense that each mission will not be radically different. This is like real life.* Some people complain about timed turns. Planets do not wait for people to do things. Real spaceflights have a fixed schedule and all tasks need to be done within the alotted time. Welcome to real world folks.* Some people complain about damage not being shared by Houston. It happens that damage would happen away from everyone's sight because Apollo did not have self diagnostics. So authors of the game decided that this hidden information would be managed by Houston player.* Some people complain about the existence of the abstract circuit board puzzles. Real astronauts also had to hack intergrated circuit boards in the ship. So welcome to real history.I could go on and on with the absolutely accurate translation of this simulator of astronaut feelings, because everything you like or dislike, that frustrates or excites you about this game, has a simplified equivalence in this game.Who is this game for? If you want merely fun and entertainment, it may not be for you. But if you are into history and want to feel what real astronauts must have felt, this game is for you. It is more a time machine than commercial entertainment.And talking about replayability, it depends on what you understand as replayability too. For example, a game like Star Wars deckbuilder is about dealing cards, buy cards and attack bases, rinse and repeat. Not very replayable if you ask me. So complains are relative because it depends on what people understand as replayable. I find it very replayable, and ejoyable if you take this game like a role playing game with abstract tasks.People also criticize the manual of this game. You should know that 1960s NASA manuals looked like a notepad TXT file full of cryptic notes, not exactly user friendly. NASA was not good at making manuals for newbies. The good thing is that there is a video that buffalo games promotes that explains how to play. Just visit the URL in the manual.As a historical simulator of astronaut feelings this game is very historically accurate. Those looking for more commercial experiences may not like it 100%. It becomes enjoyable if you want to relive history and play role playing between Houston and astronauts.

This game is SO much fun! It’s complex to the point that it’s very realistic. My brother (young teenager) is loving it and understands it perfectly. A little time going over the instructions and you’ll be set. I only wish there were expansion packs!

I've always wanted to be an astronaut. But my poor vision and fear of heights made it difficult, if not impossible dream.Enter the Apollo board game!Now I can be an astronaut without all those pesky things like needing able to see, having a firm understanding of science, or even having to leave my living room!The gameplay is easy to learn and combines enough skill and chance that it is entertaining round after round.The pieces are well designed.This is an all around solid game to bring to game night.

This game is very intense, as you get closer to landing and the stakes get higher it definitely is a thrill. The rules are a bit hard to learn at first but once you get it, the game is really fun. It’s definitely better with more than 2 people, I played with a group of 4 and it was a blast. You also have to think hard before every move you make, but you have a time limit, so think fast! Definitely recommend this game.

Amazon box was in perfect condition.The game box was teared in one side and looks like the itens were not in the right position, although the seals were OK and without signs of replacement.I have the feeling this game was previously returned, but for 12 bucks I can't complain much.

No matter how many videos we watched to play this game, we still couldn't follow the instructions. This game is complicated and not great for game night. It takes a long time to figure out exactly how to play, which led us to playing different games instead. If you're purchasing this for a game night with friends, I would choose something a little less complicated and that takes less time to learn.

I'm Japanese and I wasn't born yet at that time. But for someone like me who is interested in and excited about space exploration and rocket technology, I consider the Apollo program to be the greatest achievement of humankind. I was able to relive that wonderful plan with a board game ... It was a wonderful experience! I am playing by translating it into Japanese.

Instructions are horribly written; lengthy yet vague. You’ll be jumping around it like it’s an encyclopedia. After 2hrs of setting up and reading we couldn’t even get through one round due to incoherence surrounding the use of the dice and the 5 different ways they want you to use them and all the exceptions to all the rules.Also any game that restricts communication is inherently anti-social and therefore unfit for purpose.