STORY

Hundreds of years ago, the Cosmada of the Human Republic waged a war of self-defense against the evil Starfleet of the Noveratu Empire. The literal Vampires of myth emerged during our space age, and stole our homeplanet, forcing Humanity into the cold depths of space.

Now you have the chance to go back in time, and change the outcome of the Galactic War, by becoming a general in the Time Wars. Defend Humanity? Empower the Vampiric Noveratu? The outcome of history is up to you.

GAME DESCRIPTION

Time Wars: Stellar Assault is a 2 player high strategy starship combat game which has secret goals and bluffing mechanics.

At the beginning of the game, each player is given a secret goal card. This has the icons of two starsystems on it. When a player begins their turn having conquered both of these planets, as well as the central system, they win!

Players recruit fleets of star cruisers; as well as demigod-like beings called X-Knights, who were once mortal beings, but are now granted cosmic power by alien crystals. These pieces move across the board, and can conquer the different star system spaces on the board. Using the gravity spaces surrounding those star systems, units can slingshot across the board. Adjacent units can engage in combat to destroy each other, or even use Marines to board enemy spacecraft and take them for yourself.

Combat is determined through command cards, which have different numbers of three types of icons: Blast, for destroying each other; Drone, for repelling each other; and Marine, for stealing each others' cruisers. The larger your fleet, the more automatic icons you get.

Each player submits command cards face-down into command stacks, one at a time, in turn. At any time, a player can pass, and not submit a card. When both players have passed in succession, flip over the combat cards, count the icons, and add the icons from your units. This determines the outcome.

Can you be sure that all of those cards your opponent used are full of icons? Or are they bluffing? Telling whether or not your opponent has the cards to back up their move is key to victory.

You acquire more command cards based on how many systems you have conquered, but you also gain more reinforcements based on how many systems your opponent has conquered. Therefore, stretching your fleet too far can empower your opponent to come back from behind.

The game comes with a double-sided board: side A and side B. Side A is the place to start as a new player, while side B is a more difficult challenge for those with experience.