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Alderac Entertainment Groups have dabbled with sci fi factions within Smash Up, up to this point, you only have to look at the Aliens and the Robots in the base game to see that. They dive all in with the theme in this expansion, another glorious addition to the brand. In this set we see the factions Time Travellers, Cyborg apes, Super Spies and Shapeshifters added to the range of options available. The Smash Up series is one of those games where you feel absolutely anything goes, and the Science Fiction Double Feature expansion fits incredibly well within all that came before and is yet to come.
There is not a game rules overview this time, please check out my Disney Smash Up blog for a quick overview. Something to keep in mind here is that you can only play a 2-player game with this set alone. Of course, the series is completely interchangeable with everything else Smash Up so you can always “Smash” it up with another set and bring in a 3rd and 4th player.
So, what does Science Fiction Double Feature bring to the series?
Time Travellers
It really doesn’t get more science fiction than time travel. Doctor When being the power 5 minion here, very cleverly played AEG. This faction is very much defying the normal rules of smash up play which very much aligns with their theme. With abilities to get cards out of the discard pile, preventing discarded minions (after a base scores) going to the discard pile and instead returning them to your deck, or returning minions from play back to your hand. The Time Travellers are not conventional and really do mix play up in Smash Up.
Cyborg Apes
This faction just screams out science fiction! Cyborg Apes just makes me think that the Terminator has been combined with Planet of the Apes and there we have it. The Cyber Apes are powerful and are able to bring additional power through their actions over and above the minions starting power. Many of their actions can also be played directly on to minions, like cyber enhancing the minion. They are without doubt a dangerous and challenging opposition, particularly the power 5 Cyberback. You’ll need to watch out for that one.
Super Spies
I’m not convinced the Super Spies are a classic Science Fiction theme. If I think spies, I’m thinking James Bond or the Kingsman. Whilst there is an element of science fiction perhaps with the gadgets they carry, it isn’t a strong link for me. Nevertheless, here we are and you would be forgiven for thinking this faction deck came straight from the world of 007. This faction is certainly all about espionage and infiltration. A lot of time looking at the tops of opposition decks and taking further action accordingly. There is a degree of cunning required to get the best out of them and they will likely need a powerful faction in support to do well.
Shapeshifters
These are classic science fiction characters that we see come around again and again in many different franchises. AEG have done great work to capture the essence of shape shifting within just 20 cards. They are hard, powerful and they all too often are replicating the abilities of the other factions in play, either their partner faction you are using or an opposition faction. This can provide so much flexibility with the potential to use the abilities of 7 different factions in a four-player game. I think they are an awesome faction.
4 incredibly varied factions once again that are also significantly varied from all other factions in Smash Up. I’m in awe of the creators and producers in how again and again they create such diverse factions with a deck of 20 cards and a simple set of game mechanics. It is on us as players of the game to then figure out how to get the best out of our smashed-up team. Always a challenge but just keeps making for huge amounts of replay-ability in the game.
Final Thoughts
Another great addition to the Smash Up series. I really enjoy the science fiction theme, although still not convinced the Super Spies should be here. All factions are very diverse and really do add a different dynamic to gameplay from other expansions and core sets that we have previously seen. This set is well worth picking up and including to your collection.