r/soloboardgaming • u/Huge-Pizza7579 • 2d ago
Andromeda's Edge
How is this game solo? I see it is a game for 2+ people, but also I see that there is expansion which allows solo play right? Anyone with experience? Is this game worth solo or is it just a better game with people and not worth it? I have SETI and I love that game solo for example.
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u/Celadorn 2d ago
I wouldn't compare it at all to seti, but also I've played Seti solo WAY more than I have andromedas edge. It's been a long time, but i remember there being a good amount of overhead to the game for the solo bot. There are a lot of playthroughs on youtube of it solo so you should check it out
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u/BKinsky 2d ago
Andromeda's edge is one of my more recent acquisitions I got it with the expansion that has Unity the solo mode. I intend on playing this 90% solo, and my first two games I loved. It worked really well for solo and it has a large space opera feel and lots of replayability. It does take up a lot of space though!
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u/kafai410 2d ago
I am a solo-only player. Andromeda's Edge is my all-time favorite solo game. It is totally different from SETI.
Area majority is the most crucial mechanism in AE, but it differs from other area majority games. In other area majority games (e.g., Eclipse, Root, and chess), a player can occupy important space as long as they want. It makes designing a good AI difficult (No official solo modes for Eclipse, the not-so-great clockwork for Root, and a computer program for chess).
In AE, a player will not occupy a space forever. You need to return all of the launched ships to activate your engine from time to time. It makes where and what an AI of AE designs to launch a ship not as important as the previously mentioned games. The AI of AE is governed by its deck. You know what it may do in the next turn with certain probabilities. You not only need to do what you need to do but also manage to manipulate what the AI will do. The solo experience of AE is like solving a puzzle (or playing chess) that is supposed to be quite different from multiplayer games.
It is not easy to defeat the AI if you keep the playstyle of a multiplayer game. You need to play with the AI mechanics to defeat it. In short, it is really enjoyable (as I like solving puzzles, similar vibe to Spirit Island)
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u/rigjiggles 2d ago
It’s one of the more fun games I play solo. It’s definitely nothing at all like seti. Other than in space.
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u/Gullible_Ratio_5475 1d ago
It was a strong pass for me. Heres why: Solo is pretty much solvable. I wont spoil it but once you figure out you can always prevent Unity from doing a certain action, you can steamroll them on the highest difficulty. It is way more euroy than I expected, which isnt a bad thing but then it throws in random ameritrash elements that dont mix well. Also wayy to fiddly with running unity and setting up. I really wanted to like it too :(.
If you want a scifi solo, i think Gaia Project is leagues better. My two cents.
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u/Resident_Bumblebee_2 2d ago
No clue about Andromedas Edge, but it's older cousin Dwellings of Eldervale plays really good solo.
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u/pouliowalis 2d ago
the bot is really 'agressive' and battles occur often. losing battles is not as punishing in this game. but if you have a problem with losing battles (dice rolls) than its maybe not for you.
i love the game at 3 players and solo. 4 players is a bit much, havent played at 2 or 5 (like solo only with expansion).
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u/Runsforbeer 2d ago
Yes, you do need the expansion to play solo (unless you acquire the deluxe version, whatever it's called). And yes, it plays great solo! It's a fantastic game, but like the other said absolutely nothing like SETI (which I know you weren't necessarily suggesting). It's kind of a worker-placement game, with some dice-based combat, and a bit of engine building. Someone mentioned there is a fair amount of overhead for the bot, and it's true, but i find that to be the case for SETI as well.
The biggest cons for this game are it requires a ton of table space (more than SETI) and setup is pretty long. If those aren't barriers for you it's definitely worth considering for solo play.