The Rocketeer: Fate of the Future by Funko Games
Price: ~$25.00
Players: 2
Playtime: ~45 minutes
Perfect for: Duos who enjoy asymmetrical dueling through strategic resource collection and area control.
The Rocketeer: Fate of the Future is a game of keeping rocket technology out of the hands of the treacherous Nazis! Based on the 1991 film of the same name, two players square off: one side controlling a team of heroes; the other a set of villains. The goal is to keep the jetpack plans hidden from the opposition while vying for control of the board and resources before the zeppelin arrives and the game concludes.
To begin The Rocketeer: Fate of the Future, two individuals choose their side and collect the corresponding three characters, miniatures, and deck. On a turn, players will volley back and forth, discarding cards to activate characters and take actions. For example, played cards might cause a character to move, gain resources, or even attack an opponent at a shared location. Skirmishes cause the rocket pack plans to change hands between teams. This is important because whomever controls the blueprints can gain finale cards which award victory points at the end of the game. After each round, a random event card gets revealed determining whether the in-game timer advances (a zeppelin heading across the country). After the zeppelin reaches its destination, each side reveals their finale cards and counts their victory points to determine a winner.
RELATED: Tabletop Game Review – Back to the Future: Back in Time
What works in The Rocketeer: Fate of the Future is the asymmetrical deck-building component that requires each side to think critically about character activation and action-sequencing. Only certain cards can be used in conjunction with particular characters, so it’s imperative to plan out a series of moves that will provide the most value. This is especially true given that the characters’ final positions at the end of the round is often important to collect the resources or points desired. Individuals who appreciate efficiency from a minimal amount of execution will find The Rocketeer strategically engaging as they try to outplay the other side.
Players who don’t enjoy direct competition, or prefer a multitude of options to enact a plan, may not enjoy The Rocketeer: Fate of the Future as much as others. Gameplay is all about literally knocking down your opponent, so some individuals could experience frustration after setting up a move only to get waylaid by the other player. Also, while there is variance in the cards, the majority of actions are fairly streamlined. This means that there’s an element of luck in play (the cards drawn) but also optimization: effectively playing to maximize output with limited choices.
The Rocketeer: Fate of the Future has good replay value, especially considering that the heroes and villains play slightly differently. Furthermore, once individuals understand the deck options, the strategies employed will likely become more specific, nuanced, and deliberate. And finally, fans of the movie will absolutely appreciate the stunning artwork and references to the film.
Recommended if you like: Back to the Future: Back in Time; Funkoverse Strategy Games
Final Grade: A-
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