Star Trek Captain's Chair: The Best Star Trek Board Game Ever?
When I first heard about Star Trek Captain's Chair, I'll admit I was a bit apprehensive. The
game
was described as quite complex, with many rules and a steep learning curve. While I enjoy board
games and play a lot of solo titles, most of my previous experiences have been relatively easy
to
grasp. Terraforming Mars was probably the most complex game I'd tackled until now. I wasn't sure
if
Captain's Chair would be for me, if I'd manage to understand all the rules, or if I'd even enjoy
it.
That said, I've tried many Star Trek games in the past. To name just a few, I've played Star
Trek
Ascendancy, Star Trek Panic, Star Trek Dice Game, Star Trek Away Missions, Star Trek Fluxx, and
Star
Trek Catan. What I was really looking for was a game that truly embodied the Star Trek spirit,
rather than just focusing on combat, resource gathering, or outmaneuvering opponents. My
previous
Star Trek board game experiences, frankly, were a bit disappointing, as they often missed that
authentic Star Trek feeling.
A Deep Dive into Star Trek Immersion
Star Trek Captain's Chair, however, was a completely different story. Yes, the rules are complex - this is probably the most rules-heavy game I've played to date. But the rulebook is incredibly well-written and everything is explained thoroughly. What's more, there's a wonderfully supportive community and direct engagement with the designers on both BoardGameGeek and a dedicated Discord server, where any rules nuances can be quickly answered and explained. I bought the game strictly for solo play, as I don't have many friends who are both into board games and Star Trek, but I truly enjoy my solo time with both.
The game is brilliantly designed with several difficulty levels. You begin as a cadet, progressing through missions that allow you to practice with different captains and learn the core game mechanics. This is incredibly useful for getting the hang of things. After several plays, you can then start proper solo games against the bot.
I absolutely love how the game is structured. You have six iconic captains to choose from: Picard, Shran, Koloth, Sisko, Sela, and Burnham. Each possesses their own unique deck and a very distinct playstyle. Being good with one doesn't automatically translate to success with another, so each captain requires a fresh learning experience. And this is where the game truly shines: the campaign mode. Playing against other captains led by an automated bot, these campaigns are, for me, the most important and engaging part of the entire experience. Each campaign offers four difficulty levels and additional challenges to make your games more engaging and exciting. Campaigns consist of between five and ten scenarios, and after each one, regardless of winning or losing, you receive a prize that aids you in future scenarios. This creates a wonderful sense of continuity.
Unparalleled Replayability and Strategic Depth
The game mechanics are fantastic; there's no single way to deal with challenges. Each captain has a unique style, encouraging you to try many different strategies. You'll gain locations, send ships to explore strange new worlds, recruit allies, and find individuals who can help you on your quests. You might secure precious cargo or stumble upon a game-changing encounter. There are military, influence, and science paths to pursue. Depending on your style and your chosen captain, you can achieve victory through multiple different avenues, which feels incredibly authentic to Star Trek. As expected, you'll encounter many familiar characters, from William Riker and Data to Laris and Moriarty.
So far, I've played over 30 solo games and completed three campaigns. Every single game has felt unique. The replayability is enormous; it feels like you could easily play 100+ games and still discover new combos and options to gain an advantage. The difficulty levels are so well-designed that you never feel like you're on an easy walk; you always have to be trying your best to beat your rival.
The Definitive Star Trek Board Game?
To me, this game has everything I would expect from a Star Trek board game. It didn't just match my expectations; it exceeded them. When I scored this game on BoardGameGeek, it was the first time I've ever given a perfect 10/10. In my opinion, this is the best Star Trek game ever made. I'm genuinely looking forward to many more hours of playing it and I highly recommend it to any Star Trek board game enthusiast.
Check out other Star Trek articles in the blog section.