The Shadow Planet Sci-Fi Strategy Board Game

About this product

Trust is fragile on Gliese 667, where every decision may reveal an ally, an enemy or something far more dangerous.

Based on the Italian graphic novel by the Blasteroid Bros and designed by Giacomo and Gianluca Santopietro.

A semi-cooperative sci-fi horror game of secret objectives, changing character control and carefully managed card decks.

Product Description

A rescue mission has brought a group of astronauts to the desolate moon Gliese 667, searching for answers about a scientific vessel believed to have been destroyed decades ago.

What they discover is far more disturbing. The lone survivor speaks of murder, madness and a strange green fog, while signs point towards an alien presence capable of taking control of both bodies and minds. With their shuttle damaged and time running out, the crew must uncover the truth and decide who can be trusted.

In The Shadow Planet, each player receives a secret objective connected to the Astronauts, Alien or Guardian. Every round, players choose one of six characters to control, use that character’s special ability and manage their Gear deck to advance their hidden plans.

Characters move between locations on the planet to search for useful cards, trigger section abilities, repair the shuttle or influence the growing threat. However, control of a character will likely pass to another player in a later round, meaning every card added to a character’s Gear may eventually benefit a rival.

Three rotating indicators track the Countdown, the condition of the shuttle repairs and the strength of the alien Threat. Players can influence these indicators by managing and discarding cards, but their decisions may also provide clues about their true intentions.

When the game ends, each player is matched with a character according to the markers they collected during play. Their secret objective, final character identity, Gear cards and the state of the indicators then determine who has survived the Shadow Planet.

Why you’ll love it

• Hidden objectives: Players secretly work towards the goals of the Astronauts, Alien or Guardian.
• Changing character control: Choose from six characters each round and use their abilities and Gear before control passes to someone else.
• Evolving character decks: Add and remove cards from Gear decks that may later fall into the hands of another player.
• Read your rivals: Card choices, discarded cards and movement decisions can reveal clues about hidden intentions.
• Three shifting pressures: Manage the Countdown, Repair and Threat indicators while pursuing your own objective.
• Different paths to victory: Each secret objective approaches the damaged shuttle and alien threat from a different direction.
• Rich sci-fi atmosphere: Explore a hostile moon filled with abandoned vessels, strange fog and an unseen alien danger.
• Designed for repeat play: Changing objectives, character choices and evolving Gear decks create new strategic situations.

Quick Details

• Publisher: Galakta
• Designers: Giacomo Santopietro and Gianluca Santopietro
• Based on: The Shadow Planet graphic novel by the Blasteroid Bros
• Product type: Semi-cooperative strategy board game
• Players: 3–5 players
• Main gameplay: Hidden objectives, changing character control and deck management
• Characters: Jenna Scott, Nikke Larsson, John Vargo, Rachel Robinson, Reed Robinson and the Robot
• Locations: Melita, E/Rico, the Hill and the Caves
• Secret objectives: Astronauts, Alien and Guardian
• Game indicators: Countdown, Repair and Threat
• Contents: 1 rulebook, 1 game board, 136 cards, 3 rotating indicators, 2 vehicle tiles, 75 markers, 6 character miniatures with coloured standees and 5 player sheets

Good to Know

• Standalone game: No other game is required to play.
• Identity twist: Players know their secret objective, but their final character identity is only determined at the end of the game.
• Shared character decks: Improving a character’s Gear may also help an opponent who controls that character later.
• Semi-cooperative play: Some objectives may temporarily align, but players are ultimately working towards their own victory conditions.
• Limited time: The Countdown tracks how long the crew has before the orbiting ship departs.
• Multiple endings: Victory depends on which indicator ends the game, the players’ secret objectives and the final contents of the character Gear decks.