ExoBase - micro solo base-builder
A downloadable card game
Physical version available on The Game Crafter
Buy it now
You have landed with 3 other specialists on a distant planet; future home of a new civilization. You've barely set up the core of your base when a proximity alarm sounds — an incoming meteorite storm is on course to obliterate your new base! You might just have time to activate the shield generator...
ExoBase is a small-box, solo, card-based worker placement game that challenges you and your team to build a self-sustaining base in the hostile environment of a distant exoplanet.
Shortly after breaking ground, you discover incoming metorites that will pulverize your base in a matter of days if it is not strong enough to sustain a shield generator.
Each round, move founders to different cards to build, upgrade, or work a location. Working a location produces resources which are used to build new locations, or upgrade existing ones in your base.
The goal: build a self-sustaining base that can power the shield generator before the meteorites destroy your new home.
1-minute trailer
Learn to play in 8 minutes
Full playthrough
Community
Join our Discord server to chat about this game, or sign up for newsletter updates.
Components
- 8 pages (4 double-sided sheets; 28 cards)
- 8 coloured pawns for founders: red, yellow, green, blue, orange, purple, black, white.
- 3 six-sided dice (D6)
- 8mm cube tokens:
- 20 yellow
- 25 red
- 8 black
Scenarios
I am working on several scenarios that expand the game through alternate setups and goals. The first one is available below. Enjoy!
Purchase
In order to download this card game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $4 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Download demo
Development log
- ExoBase Scenario 1: Cut Off and AloneFeb 08, 2023
- ExoBase physical version up to 25% offMay 25, 2022
- ExoBase 1.5.5 - minor tweaksJul 17, 2021
- ExoBase 1.5 - Minor correctionJul 12, 2021
- ExoBase 1.5 - harder, better, faster, strongerJul 12, 2021
- ExoBase 0.6.3 - Improved rules, nicer founder cards, new abilitiesDec 07, 2020
- ExoBase 0.6.1 - small PNP correctionDec 01, 2020
- ExoBase 0.6 - a major updateNov 25, 2020
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
I really really liked ExoBase! It packs so much in a small package, doesn't occupy a huge amount of space, and doesn't take a long amount of time -- the right amount of time to be fulfilling.
Everything worked well. The play loop was great and not overly complicated, there was so much in the way of variety and interactions between cards, and the game has a great story that's told through the gameplay.
One of my favorite games a while back, before the Plague, was Terraforming Mars. While the themes and stories of both games are different and well-implemented, I have to say that the variety I experienced during ExoBase was equal to or even above the best games of Terraforming Mars I ever played.
And I honestly really love ExoBase more. Although I loved Terraforming Mars and Good Little Martians too, they're very impersonal in a way. Exobase is, on the other hand, a character drama in space.
It's good, it's great, I look forwards to more games of this!
And apparently ExoBase's sequel ExoShip is coming soon! I'm so excited for what it could be. :o
If there a printer friendly version...less black?
I used to have one but it got to be a bit too much to maintain two versions during development. And unfortunately I don't have time to re-make the low-ink version now. Sorry!
No problem! I just thought I would ask. The game looks great!
looking forward to giving it a try.