If you're reading this you've probably been interested in High Frontier for a while. You're tempted by the idea of a hyper detailed space exploration simulation based on real science, but you're also worried about finding the time and opponents to play with, and by the reputation of the impenetrable complexity of the rules. At least ... that described me!
Space Diamonds is an 'expansion', that radically simplifies the game while retaining the map and the basics of spaceflight. It's intended to be used as an 'on ramp' to understanding the full game, or as science filled casual family that even children can play and enjoy. It was the promise of both of these ideas together that got me to finally pull the trigger and order this hefty (and pricy) chunk of cardboard that is High Frontier 4 All!
I'm delighted to say, for the most part it delivers on that promise even better than I expected... however there are some quirks, and some opportunities for improvement. Given that this is the first version of this 'expansion', I am optimistic about the future of Space Diamonds, and I hope this review can help potential High Frontier players.
Playing the game with my spouse and two kiddos (10 and 13) I was surprised and delighted about how quickly and naturally we were able to get to talking real space science : basic space exploration concepts of changing orbits, the energy costs of space travel, the rocket formula and even stellar bodies spectral classes and what they mean. Best off, all of these concepts got a little practical experiential learning through hands on application of all this rocket science! We planned trips and saw how some far away bodies are easier to get to energy-wise than some closer ones. We got to practice learning when to top off our fuel tanks and when to go leaner for more thrust. We also practiced predicting the hydration level of sites and what kind of Space Diamond chit we might find (one of us had the 'get most gems' mission) based on the spectral class of the chit. 304
As a fun and educational way to spend time, it exceeded my expectations!
However, it was not all high fives and ticker tape parades on returning to Earth. When the board was first revealed, the complexity was so overwhelming, that one of the kiddos nearly refused to play! It looked too much like work, and we had promised them fun! This is fine...
Now, once you get over the learning curve, Space Diamonds is not actually that much work at all, but the High Frontier components are dense and busy, and when first sitting down there's no clear indication what's actually relevant to a game of Space Diamonds. My spouse confessed the same sinking feeling when we started, despite eventually emerging as the victor! Oh, and the kiddo near rebellion? Later in the game they cackled as they pulled off a valid Jupiter flyby to steal a bunch of safe cheap S chits from under my nose! I tried to teach them 'S is for siliceous', but they showed me it said 'stone' on the board.
Now of course I understand why this is the case. Space Diamonds is a creative way to cobble together a family game from the parts lying around of a crazy complicated space exploration simulation. It's an act of improvisation that may not rise to JPL levels, but is pretty darn impressive and I have to acknowledge that difficulty, and the achievement! However, from an accessibility perspective I can't help but wish for a Space Diamonds expansion pack or stand alone game, with a simplified board (maybe just a paper poster) and simplified player mats. I think there might be a case to be made both from a pure educational market, but it's also reasonable for folks who are already willing to buy into the High Frontier 'lifestyle' to make room for an extra expansion to help onboard new players, especially younger ones!
As for the game itself, it simplifies High Frontier into just a race to visit sites with your spacecraft, land and pick up 'discovery chits' worth a variable number of victory points representing various classes of discoveries. These chits are the eponymous Space Diamonds, and they are sorted by spectral class and their value is hidden face down which is a nice bit of science objectively snuck into the game and again helps in familiarizing players with the site composition which is key in the full game. Additionally you have a pair of random missions you are trying to complete for VP (like find the most gems, or conduct a flyby) and players also get a VP bonus based on the order in which they returned to Low Earth Orbit. My god ... it's full of diamonds!
This results in a mostly satisfying puzzle of figuring our efficient transit routes - as promised using the majority of the spacecraft movement rules from the full game. There is a bit of risk reward regarding hazard spaces and the results of picking up chits. 304