[Game Review] The Crew: Journey to the Nine Planet - A guide to the cooperative trick-taking game that won the 2020 German Game of the Year award
An epic mission awaits you to discover the mysterious ninth planet, lying dormant at the edge of space.
The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine won the Kennerspiel des Jahres (German Expert Game Award) in 2020 and has received rave reviews from board game enthusiasts around the world.
In this article, we will explain in detail why this game is being called a revolution in trick-taking games , along with our actual experience playing it.
We will fully convey the true charm of this game to everyone, from beginners to advanced players.
Game Basics
The innovative mechanic of cooperative trick-taking means everyone works together to complete a specific mission.
- Players: 3-5 (2-player variant "JARVIS" system available)
- Play time: Approximately 20 minutes (1 mission takes approximately 10 minutes)
- Ages: 10 and up
- Game Designer: Thomas Sing
- Publisher: KOSMOS
The core mechanic of The Crew is cooperative trick-taking .
While in traditional trick-taking games, each player works individually to win, in this game everyone works together to accomplish a specific mission.
Players become spaceship crew members and take on 50 progressive missions as members of the Nautilus Project, which investigates the mysterious ninth planet.
The player with the number 4 rocket card (the highest trump card) becomes the commander for that round and is responsible for leading the strategy for the mission.
Each mission requires players to complete randomly dealt task cards (goals that earn them specific cards).
However, free conversation is not possible in outer space .
Each player can only use a "wireless communication token" once per mission to communicate either the "highest value," "lowest value," or "unique value" for one card in their hand.
The appeal of The Crew: Why it's acclaimed worldwide
The game's innovative cooperative system and gradual difficulty level provide a perfect balance of playability and strategy.
An innovative cooperative system creates an exceptional puzzle experience
The review site All You Can Board describes the game as " The Mind meets trick-taking games ," which aptly describes the essence of the game.
The constraints of playing in silence test players' coordination with teammates and strategic thinking.
In actual play, you are constantly required to make deductions such as, "Why did that person play that card now?" and "What is this radio communication trying to convey?"
A review from Board Game Quest states, " There was never a boring turn. You're constantly keeping an eye on the other players' moves and thinking about how your play can contribute to the team ."
A continuous challenge with a gradual difficulty design
The 50 missions are cleverly designed, with early missions starting as simple as earning a single task card.
However, later missions have more complex conditions, such as:
- You must complete tasks in a specific order
- Certain players may not take any tricks
- Take a specific card only in the last trick
A review by What's Eric Playing reports, " I've played it 43 times, but I've only reached missions 10-15 so far. Still, it feels fresh every time and I never get bored, " which shows how deep the game is.
A perfect balance of ease and strategy
It's reasonably priced, yet offers near-endless replay value with its contents housed in a compact box .
The Family Gamers review states that the game is "addictive enough to keep you playing for hours, " which explains its appeal.
The quality of the cards has also been improved from the German version, with Geeky Hobbies praising them as " colorful, highly visible, and featuring symbols that are color-blind friendly ."
Concerns and solutions
There are some challenges, such as the difficulty varying due to the element of luck and the experience of playing with two people, but you can enjoy it with the right measures.
Difficulty level varies depending on luck
The most commonly pointed out problem is that the difficulty of the same mission can vary greatly depending on how the cards are dealt and the task cards drawn .
Board Game Review honestly states that " if you're unlucky, you may end up with an impossible layout from the start ."
Solution: However, What's Eric Playing gives a positive review, saying, " Even if you fail, you can easily try again, which actually makes you feel like, 'This time it's for sure!'"
Each mission is short, lasting about 10 minutes, so you can take on the challenge without fear of failure.
Quality of the two-player experience
A two-player variant called the "JARVIS" system is available, but several reviews have pointed out that it's " too puzzle-like, diminishing the appeal of cooperative gaming ."
Solution: The official version clearly states on the box that the game is for 3-5 players, so playing with 3-4 players is the most recommended .
The All You Can Board rates the game as "four players offer the best balance of challenge and fun."
The need for consideration for beginners
The Family Gamers reports that " it took some time to get used to, especially for kids, at first ."
Additionally, a Japanese review site points out that " if you play casually without understanding the rules, you'll hold everyone back ."
Tips: We recommend that you first do a practice round with easy missions , and then once everyone understands the rules and tricks, try the full-scale missions.
The rules of trick-taking itself are very simple, so once you understand them you can enjoy the game smoothly.
Recommended for these people and occasions
This is a versatile game that can be enjoyed in a variety of situations by trick-taking beginners and advanced players alike.
A must-play for trick-taking beginners
Geeky Hobbies rated it as " potentially enjoyable even for those who aren't good at trick-taking, " and The Family Gamers also mentioned that it " can also be used as trick-taking practice ."
The cooperative element means that even those who don't like competitive environments can enjoy the game with peace of mind.
Regular gaming sessions with family and friends
By playing continuously with a fixed group of 3-4 people , you can share your adventure story through 50 missions.
Board Game Review states that " Playing in the same group can be fun as you understand each other's thought patterns ."
Easy entertainment for travel and on the go
Its compact size makes it easy to carry, and The Family Gamers describes it as " the ideal travel companion ."
Another memorable review read, " Just imagining playing it on a balcony while sipping wine is appealing ."
A new challenge for cooperative game and puzzle lovers
It's the perfect game for those who " like coordination games like The Mind but want something with a bit more strategy ."
A Japanese review accurately analyzed the game, saying, " The Mind is a game of coordinating your breathing, while The Crew is a game of coordinating your thinking ."
By playing this game, you can improve skills such as silent communication , logical thinking , and teamwork while having fun.
Above all, the sense of accomplishment and unity you will feel when you complete your mission will be a special experience you won't find anywhere else.
The Crew is a true masterpiece of modern board games: simple yet deep, accessible yet authentic.
Be sure to try out this game that has revolutionized trick-taking games with your friends.
Check the product on the online store page
Free shipping throughout Japan. Orders placed before 3pm will be shipped the same day.
Reference source/quote source
- Board Game Quest - The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine Review
- Meeple Mountain - The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine Game Video Review
- Board Game Review - The Crew: The Quest For Planet Nine Review
- All You Can Board - The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine Review
- What's Eric Playing? - The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine Review
- The Thoughtful Gamer - The Crew Review
- Geeky Hobbies - The Crew Card Game Review and Rules
- The Family Gamers - The Crew: The Quest for Planet Nine
- Fun and educational parent-child board game - The Crew: Journey to the Nine Review
- note - The Crew: Exploration of Planet 9 Rules / Summary