N is for Nemesis

 By Awaken Realms

So we backed this one on Kickstarter in Feb 2018. Before we got it, in December 2018 we backed another project by this publisher-- Tainted Grail and then another in August 2019-- Etherfields. So we were just PRAYING that the publisher would be awesome, because these games are not cheap. Well, fortunately for us, this game is amazing. If you haven't played Nemesis, you should. You should go out and buy it right now or become friends with someone who has it *wink* *wink* (Also, we did just back Nemesis: Lockdown, because who needs $ for food, am I right???)

Players: 1-5

Time: 90-180 minutes

Ages: 12+

Theme: Alien Horror Survival

Mechanics: Co-Op or Semi-Co-Op (with Hidden Agendas & Traitors), Campaign/Battle

Okay, Bonnie, why is this game amazing?

1. It's a game where you and your fellow crew mates wake up from cryo on an alien-infested ship. It's so thematic and soooooooo cool. You know, if you like the Alien franchise or sci-fi or something. Really, the game just does this theme so well. From the intruder bag mechanic to the infection mechanic to the noise mechanic to the corporation goals to scavenging for equipment, everything just builds on the theme so well.
   
2. It has different game play modes. If you're competitive (like my husband), you can play every man for himself and throw in the malicious goals. If direct confrontation with others brings the worst out in you (like me), then full co-op is the way to go. Both are options. There's even a solo mode if you feel so inclined.
   
3. The miniatures and components are AWESOME. There are tons of very detailed miniatures. There are several different sculpts for the adult aliens and the queen is huge.
4. It just plays well. Yes, there are a lot of rules to remember and YES, the rulebook is kind of long and poorly laid out, but once you get the rules down, it flows well. There isn't too much waiting (assuming other players also understand the rules and don't lollygag).
5.  If you lose, you can play the aliens. Cool!
   

We have played this game several times now, twice with 2 players and twice with 3 players. We've won some and lost some. In this last game, I lost, but my crew won, so I'm counting it as a win. Here's my corpse (I left the rest of the group-- Smart, I know-- to go to the surgery to potentially remove my infestation. I was quickly pounced upon by this mean adult alien. Turned out I wasn't actually infected. So bummer. Also, I've seen enough horror sci-fi movies to know that I probably should NOT have left the group to wander on my own).

 

 

We're united in giving this one a 10/10. Because it is that awesome. We have enjoyed every playthrough so far and look forward to more.