ISS Vanguard

Beginning

From breakthrough horror to whacky sci-fi, there are few settings as well explored as ‘space’. With its seeming limitless potential and the never-ending settings available, it is hardly surprising that so many games have plumped to establish their story on the final frontier. While the setting may be one that is heavily leaned on elsewhere in the market, ISS Vanguard has gone above and beyond, carving out its own niche and made itself at home.

One Small Step for Man…

ISS Vanguard is one of the recent publications from board game heavyweight Awaken Realms. Set on various far-flung worlds, ISS Vanguard takes players through the story of what would happen if we tried to meet our maker. As players explore this hefty campaign they’ll adventure to new worlds, develop and deploy extraordinary tech, and unlock secrets that connect Earth to a whole new cosmos.

The campaign that players unpack is one of the best I have seen in a board game to-date. With varied and colourful worlds to explore, each scenario feels unique and full realised, and each planet has quirks to discover. Even revisiting a system for the second or third time has players hunting for the possibility of something they missed, something new. I was continually impressed by ISS Vanguard’s ability to surprise me with something I didn’t see coming, whether that be a new element to the story, or a new discovery. As players progress, they’ll unlock new systems to explore, new upgrades for the Vanguard, and new items to use to help them on their quest to unearth the secrets left behind by the mysterious ‘Builders’. Narrating each step they chose to take is the Log Book. This hefty document drives the narrative forward, providing every choice that can be made no matter how small. To help set the scene a little more, there is also a narrative app that covers every element of the log book in an easy-to-follow narrated format. While not impossible to navigate, I did find myself coming unstuck when following the log book and I got lost more than once following the several jumps from entry to entry. With that in mind, the app is a very worthwhile investment to help you focus on enjoying the vast campaign without worrying about flicking between pages every turn.

As I have come to expect of Awaken Realms games, the production value of ISS Vanguard is to be commended. Every detail in the box feels well thought out. The section boxes, ship book, planetopia, and even cardholders feel bespoke and cohesive. Every component works with the rest to bring you a unique experience that is distinct from other campaign games. Moving away from their previously ‘mini heavy’ releases, such as Nemesis, Awaken Realms have pared back the number of minis and opting instead of standees. While the minis for Threats and Equipment are available in the stretch goals for Vanguard, they are far from necessary. Without the focus on plastic, players can drink in the truly spectacular art throughout.

The (inter)stellar design doesn’t stop at the artwork on the pages. Throughout the game there are repeated uses of symbols, from the dice that drive Vanguard’s play, to the rules on each page of the planetopia, everything has been slimmed down to make it easier to understand. Moving away from very wordy, very heavy learns, Awaken Realms have opted for a more visual experience here. This, tied with the collaborative nature, makes teaching someone new how to play considerably easier than other games of a similar size. There is even a tutorial session detailed in the rules, with separate, smaller decks to help gently work you into the world of ISS Vanguard.

Final Thoughts

Overall, ISS Vanguard is a real home run for Awaken Realms. Every element from the box down to the tokens sings to create a harmonious and magnificent campaign. With huge potential throughout each of the planets players discover, tied with the ease they’ll have teaching Vanguard to others, this is an excellent choice for those looking for a new game-night campaign.