An orbit is defined as a spacecraft or celestial object going round and round and round and round and round and round and round and round a star, planet, or moon. With that in mind, let’s take a look at this game as we go round and round and round and round and round and round.

WBG Score: 7.5
Player Count: 2-4
You’ll like this if you like: Published by: Bitewing Games
Designed by: Reiner Knizia

This is a review copy. See our review policy here.
By Steve Godfrey

The planets align.

On the face of it, this doesn’t seem like a mean game, and it kinda isn’t. However, there are ways you can mess with your opponents simply by doing the one thing that the game requires you to do: move planets. For the most part, you’ll want to move planets nearer to you, but the cards in your hand won’t always help you with that. So if you can’t help yourself in one way, then why not help in the other way and cheekily move planets away from other players. I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t find it fun to watch someone be on the cusp of a planet only to shift it away from them at the last minute and add in an ‘oh sorry, I had to play that card to get where I needed.’ The hardest part of all is trying to hide the evil grin when you do it.

Does space need expanding?

As I mentioned earlier, there are ways to change up the game in the box. First, there’s an extra planet to go for. This really changes the dynamic as you now need to collect more planets to win, which extends the game length. There are also advanced rules that introduce a new type of space station and a new planet type. These add a little more depth and decision-making to the game without overcomplicating it. It’s nice to have these options available right in the box so you can tailor the experience to your group.

The game plays differently depending on the player count. With two players, it’s a very tight race where you can almost predict where the other person is going to go. With four players, the board becomes a chaotic mess of ships and moving planets. You really have to adapt on the fly. The game scales well, but I find the sweet spot to be three players. It offers enough interaction and blocking without feeling too crowded or too sparse.

Component quality is solid. The board is sturdy, the tokens are thick cardboard, and the cards have a good finish. The artwork by Ian O’Toole is clean and functional, making it easy to read the board state. The ship miniatures are simple but effective. You don’t need anything fancy for a game like this, and Bitewing Games delivered on quality without overdoing it.

One thing to note is the setup time. Because you have to place the planets on their specific tracks and randomize the space stations, it can take a few minutes to get going. However, once you understand the flow, it goes quickly. The rulebook is well-written and explains everything clearly, which helps a lot.

If you enjoy games that are easy to learn but hard to master, Orbit is a great choice. It has that classic feel that older gamers will appreciate, but the mechanics are modern enough to keep younger players engaged. It’s not a heavy strategic game, but it requires constant attention and adaptation. You can’t just zone out and play your cards; you need to watch what everyone else is doing.

In conclusion, Orbit is a solid addition to any board game collection. It offers a quick, engaging space race that is different every time you play. The variable setup and the moving planets ensure that no two games are alike. It’s a testament to Reiner Knizia’s design philosophy that a game this simple can offer so much replayability. Whether you are a fan of his work or just looking for a fun family game, Orbit is worth checking out.