The legendary Outer Rim is one of the largest major regions in George Lucas' sci-fantasy world and at the same time one of the least explored. That should now change, at least as far as Fantasy Flight Game is concerned: the US game publisher based in Minnesota recently did that Star Wars Board game “Outer Rim” announced, which lets players take on the shoes of smugglers, mercenaries and bounty hunters.
The publication of the English language version is planned for the second quarter of 2019.
Switching collapse from sheer excitement
Some reports come as a surprise. This also applies to the announcement of the new Star Wars board game “Outer Rim” by Fantasy Flight Games. The title is an independent product line and therefore neither additional content nor an expansion for previously released Star Wars board games such as Star Wars Imperial Assault or Star Wars Rebellion (for Board game review of Star Wars Rebellion). Nevertheless, the strategic board game seems to be based closely on Star Wars Rebellion in terms of material design and basic mechanics.
The most notable addition is the ability to solo Outer Rim to become the Outer Rim's most notorious villain. Star Wars Outer Rim is aimed at 1 to 4 players who take on the roles of underworld dwellers on a quest to change the fate of the galaxy - or at least seek fame and fortune.
Slipping in the footsteps of a villain is not entirely new in the universe of Star Wars board games, after all something similar has already happened with the miniature game X-Wing or the expansions of the tactical board game Imperial Assault. However, none of the titles has been so consistently geared towards the faction of the outlaws.
The most important utensil for players will be their personal spaceship, which will take the form of a player board on the table. Being able to equip the spaceship is one of the essential - and exciting - mechanics of Outer Rim. At the same time, this system gives the authors Corey Konieczka and Toby Fanchi the freedom to design smaller and larger extensions in the future.
The player board provides information about the fame that has accumulated over the course of the game, offers space for well-known characters from the Star Wars universe and, with the available equipment slots, provides plenty of potential for optimization.
Players should increase their rum in different ways: by completing orders, by fulfilling individual character goals, by transporting illegal cargo, but also by purchasing luxury items and raking in bounties. If the mechanics work and mesh sensibly, the next big strategy title from Fantasy Flight Games or Asmodee could be available to players with "Star Wars Outer Rim".
Gradually, players will explore the planets of the Outer Edge over several rounds, find their way through dangerous hyperspace routes and avoid encounters with deadly enemies - such as other criminals or space patrols - as far as possible.
Star Wars Outer Rim offers players a whole new perspective on the board game universe. Instead of fighting on the side of the empire, the rebel alliance or the crime syndicates, players travel through the galaxy as “outlaws” on their own: the factions mentioned are just as hostile to players as the space anomalies themselves, for example in the form of dangerous maelstroms. Sometimes a fight against patrolling opponents can still be worthwhile, but defeating strong enemies can also fill the fame account. "Outer Rim" seems to be full of tactical decisions - and because the game can also be played completely alone, evening-long entertainment should also be guaranteed for solo players.
Flying through the Outer Rim in cool spaceships is good, but it would be even better to be able to use all the characters that fans have come to know and love over the past decades as pilots: of course this is also the case with "Star Wars Outer Rim” may be possible. In addition to classic characters like Han Solo, Lando Calrissian and Boba Fett, modern characters like Jy Erso and Doctor Aphra will also be available. And here too, there is plenty of potential for expansion.
The highlight: Each of the characters will bring along individual objectives corresponding to the character, which the players will fulfill in the course of the game. Lando Calrissian is said to amass a fortune by transporting contraband, while Jyn Erso will have to sabotage an imperial institution. If a goal is met, not only does the fame account increase, but the character unlocks a powerful special ability, such as re-rolling a die or a higher range. This also opens up space for tactical finesse: Do I quickly unlock a skill or do I first devote myself to other tasks that get me points faster?
Additional strategies then come into play through other crew members, who in turn have special abilities. However, because bounties could also be placed on the co-pilots, which other players then want to pocket, it is important to defend your crew. At this point, exciting interactions are "forced" - also because a "negotiation" about how to deal with the crew can be worthwhile...
Each location in the "Outer Rim" offers different conditions, which are introduced into the game through the use of encounter cards. Again, players are asked to make decisions. It goes without saying that all the "encounters" are based on events in the Star Wars universe. Successfully mastering encounters earns valuable Fame Points, while failing them negatively affects the condition of the spaceship or ruins the player's reputation.
It starts in the second quarter of 2019, when the English-language version from Fantasy Flight Games is supposed to appear. The German version of "Star Wars Outer Rim" will appear as usual at Asmodee, maybe in the third or fourth quarter of 2019.
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