14 Best Cosmology Board Games of 2024 Reviewed

Explore the cosmos with our top 14 board games. Perfect for all cosmology enthusiasts, newbies and experts alike!
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Cosmic Encounter coverRace for the Galaxy coverGalaxy Trucker cover

Blast off with our picks for the 14 best cosmology-themed board games! We focused on game play, fun factor, and how well each game brings the vast universe to life. Whether you love resource management, epic space battles, or strategy, these games offer something for everyone. Join us as we explore the cosmos, board game style!

On this list:

14 Cosmic Encounter

Cosmic Encounter cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 3-5
  • Play Time: 60-120 minutes

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Cosmic Encounter lets you take over the galaxy with your alien race. We had a stellar time arguing about alliances and betrayals, trust us, it gets heated! It’s a classic cosmology-themed game with lots of replay value.

13 Race for the Galaxy

Race for the Galaxy cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 30-60 minutes

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This game is all about building a galactic civilization, one card at a time. There’s something so satisfying about creating a sprawling space empire. It’s quick, strategic, and perfect for those who love a good cosmology challenge.

12 Galaxy Trucker

Galaxy Trucker cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 60 minutes

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Ever built a spaceship from bits and pieces, then watched it fall apart? Galaxy Trucker gives us that chaotic, yet hilarious, experience. It’s a fast-paced game with a great mix of strategy and humor.

11 Eclipse

Eclipse cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 2-6
  • Play Time: 60-200 minutes

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In Eclipse, you’re expanding your civilization over multiple star systems. The game combines exploration, combat, and resource management, making it a cosmology epic. We loved how each session offered new challenges.

10 Terraforming Mars

Terraforming Mars cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-5
  • Play Time: 90-120 minutes

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Terraforming Mars is about transforming the Red Planet into a new home for humans. We spent hours debating the best strategies to make Mars habitable. The depth and variety in this game make it a top pick for cosmology fans.

9 Star Realms

Star Realms cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 2
  • Play Time: 20 minutes

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Star Realms is a deck-building game where you build fleets and bases to dominate the galaxy. It’s quick, intense, and addictive. We had competitive and fun-filled sessions with this one!

8 Gaia Project

Gaia Project cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 60-150 minutes

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Gaia Project is a hefty game of space colonization and terraforming. The complexity and rich tactics had us hooked from the start. It’s perfect for those who love a deep dive into cosmology themes.

7 Sidereal Confluence

Sidereal Confluence cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 4-9
  • Play Time: 120-180 minutes

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This game is all about interstellar trading and negotiation. We found ourselves deep in bargaining and strategic planning. If you enjoy complex deals and cosmology, this one’s for you.

6 Twilight Imperium

Twilight Imperium cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 3-6
  • Play Time: 240-480 minutes

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Twilight Imperium is an epic space opera where you control a powerful alien race. We had marathon sessions, strategizing our way to galactic dominance. It’s a must for any cosmology-themed game night.

5 Xia: Legends of a Drift System

Xia: Legends of a Drift System cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 2-5
  • Play Time: 60-180 minutes

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Xia is an open-world space adventure where you explore, trade, and battle. The freedom to choose your path made every game unique. We loved the variety and unpredictability.

4 Eminent Domain

Eminent Domain cover

  • Age Range: 10+
  • Players: 2-4
  • Play Time: 45 minutes

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Eminent Domain combines deck-building with empire-building. The blend of strategies kept us on edge every game. It’s a cosmology-themed gem for those who love a good strategic challenge.

3 Space Alert

Space Alert cover

  • Age Range: 12+
  • Players: 1-5
  • Play Time: 30 minutes

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In Space Alert, you’re defending your spaceship from imminent threats. The game’s frantic, real-time mechanics had us shouting and laughing. It’s a thrilling cosmology-themed experience.

2 Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition

Terraforming Mars: Ares Expedition cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 1-4
  • Play Time: 60 minutes

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This game takes the beloved Terraforming Mars and streamlines it. We enjoyed the quicker pace without losing the complexity. A solid choice for cosmology fans with less time on their hands.

1 Star Trek: Ascendancy

Star Trek: Ascendancy cover

  • Age Range: 14+
  • Players: 3
  • Play Time: 180 minutes

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Star Trek: Ascendancy lets you command the Federation, Klingons, or Romulans in a quest for galactic dominance. Its rich theme and strategic depth make it our top choice. We felt like true Starfleet captains during our intense sessions!

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.