Vanished Planet Games :: Testimonials

Ivan, March 2007
"I ordered this game last week on the 27th of February I think, and just got my game today! A really pleasant surprise because you guys told me expected date of arrival would be 12th of March!

First of all, let me thank you for the prompt delivery, it's really appreciated, especially when someone is anticipating playing the game as much as I do.

Secondly, heaps of kudos to the designers, who've created an absolutely thrilling game, the kind that doesn't leave you time to catch your breath. I really love the fact that it's a race against time and that every decision we make counts! (And no, I haven't beaten the game yet)

Thirdly, just to tell you that your efforts do not go unappreciated or unnoticed. You guys provide excellent, friendly and most importantly, prompt service, and deliver with a stunning, superb game.

I applaud you."

Jeff Osborn, February 2007
"It's a great cooperative game. I have a copy, and a friend who likes cooperative games for his two sons. I've been looking all over for a copy, and I'll probably be buying more as gifts. I'll try to get the word out there-- I love playing it."

Stan Hwang, January 2007
"I finally found a group of people to play it with besides a couple of friends once in a blue moon. I introduced it to one of Drexel Newman's game nights and 3 other club members and even the priest got so addicted that instead of playing until about 10:30 PM, we played till 1:30 AM. Highly recommended for friends over a Thanksgiving break, retreats, a long, efficient cooperative building activity, game nights, and game clubs especially."

Editor's note: Stan owns one of the very first copies of Vanished Planet, #127!

Alexandros Marinos, December 2004
Dear Mr. Blanchard,

My wife Jenifer and I have recently purchased 2 boxes of the Vanished Planet boardgame from you, receiving the free racial expansion (2 sets of course, one in each box). In my humble opinion, this is an excellent game in every one and single aspect, including its wonderful art, mood, as well as taste. My wife and I having already played several other boardgames prior, she considers Vanished Planet to be her favorite game of all time and I will sincerely admit, it is my favorite game as well. In fact, this game is so excellent (and fits in all aspects my personal moods and tastes) that my wife never wishes to play anything else anymore - and insists on playing every evening with me, after work.

I have always disliked (and will always dislike) playing games against my wife; this meaning, with my wife as an opponent. Of course I did play as an opponent to her in previous other boardgames, so I reached this conclusion naturaly. We have played more than 50 2-player games of Vanished Planet so far, those first 50 ones being a few easy level ones, 2 family level ones, many standard level ones, as well as 3 hard level ones so far (trying the original version, the strategic version of collecting resources immediately after the event phase, the basic game and the expansion). My wife and I lost the very first time we played; then, we won every game we played, without losing even once, until we reached the hard level of play (3 games which we lost all). Now we continue to train in the standard level until Christmas, when we will try the hard level again. I have also played 2 single player games, one at easy and one at family level of difficulty (basic games), which I both won. I am 100% certain that we play Vanished Planet correctly and no rules were misunderstood.

Simply put, there is no trustworthy strategy to follow every time, especially in single or 2-player games of Vanished Panet. In my humble opinion, there are 2 exceptions: That players must truly co-operate in order to survive (as there is the huge temptation to choose strategies based on personal survival, rather than victory - which equals reaching goals and gainning victory points - a temptation not always obvious), as well as that building Communication Relays is a nessecity for almost every non-single player game. Other than those two "nessecary" strategies, no other strategy can really be reliable in this game in my humble opinion. Even building the Translocator will not guarantee victory - especially in the single and 2-player games we play, where resources and trade phases must be scarcer than those in 6-player games (making it crucial to concentrate exclusively on the goals).

In conclusion, I should mention to you that I am 27, I am from Greece, Europe and have lived in the United States of America for less than a year so far. I have sent one box of Vanished Planet to my brother and sister, both in their 20s and both in Greece, as a Christmas gift. I have never purchased a boardgame as a gift to sent, before Vanished Planet. Ever since I started playing this game with my wife, I have discovered more of her personality and this contributes to our happiness.

Sincerely,

Alexandros Marinos

P.S. As a comment on the reviewer gentleman's question about "the rock-insect guy on page 2 - what were they thinking?" - the multi-eyed alien appears on a screen in one of the goal cards!

Steve King, October 2004
"Good game. I love the cooperative aspect. My 7yo son has... issues... with losing, making most games no fun to play with him. He loves Vanished Planet. Win or lose, we do it as a team."

Brian's Picks, Knights of the Dinner Table Magazine, March 2004 (#89)
"I gave this one a chance and I must say, that it is an exceptional game..."

John J. McCallion, GAMES Magazine, April 2004 issue
"It takes dedicated and astute teamwork to make the right decisions and to survive the frequent crises of this awesome adventure."

Jeff Anderson, 29-Jan-2004
Thank you for a wonderful game. We are enjoying it very much. I'm also enjoying the novel ...

Jeff Osborn, 10-Jan-2004
I and my friends are old gamers (don't ask how old). We are tough customers and are hard sells when it comes to new games. Vanished Planet was an instant hit.

We love it.

We\'re getting ready to try a nightmare game, so you know we're addicted. Keep up the good work.

Thanks.

Scott J. Magner, GamingReport.com, 11-Dec-2003
Every so often, a game comes along that generates a lot of press. A lot of words are used to describe this sort of game, like “replay potential”, “ease of play”, “great presentation”, and “well-made”.

These words are important, and people who buy and play games need to hear them. Further along in this review, all of them will be present, but it is important to get the most valuable and descriptive word out first.

Fun.

Vanished Planet is the premier board game from Vanished Planet Games. And first and foremost, it’s a lot of fun. But only slightly less important is how superior this game is to others on the market today. Vanished Planet will need its own space on your gaming shelf, because its going to kick the snot out of your other boxes. ...

(Read the rest of Scott's five star review at GamingReport.com.)

Tom Smith, 16-Nov-2003
I like the cards and the board. Artwork is decent. Overall the game has a nice feel.

Tom Smith

Stephen Fitchett, 11-Nov-2003

I am so happy to have found this game. It is fun. Nice to have a cooperative game rather then a cutthroat game. It is easily scalable to suit your taste. I've been told no one has won at the hardest level not even the creators. One person can play with every element but trading. Having a wife who doesn't play game and no children the solo option is great!

Check out my page http://home.comcast.net/~surfitch/.

Please keep me updated if you add/change any part of the game.

Steve Fitchett

Doug, 16-Sep-2003

My wife and I played the tutorial and most of one game. We definitely don't have the skills to win yet, but we had a great time. I am looking forward to trying it with a larger group.

The thing I like the best is how the players get cut off from each other, but how you can go through the alien barrier if you get the right tech. There appears to be an solution to each thing that comes up if you can get the right resources to build it. We were thinking we would focus on putting our forces together next time and see if that gives us an edge.

Doug

J.P>, 21-Aug-2003

I just played this game for the first time tonight. I liked it a lot. As far as "cooperative" games go, it beats the steaming poo-poo out of Lord of the Rings. I think another reason I liked it was because it reminded me of the old Avalon Hill Stellar Conquest (done cooperatively and without the ton of accounting). We were dispairing (our teacher kept saying "Remember Rule Six!") until the last minute when we pulled it out of the fire. Thinking about it now, I imagine we were a lot farther from being vanquished than we thought.

I will buy this game as soon as this paycheck is in The Bank.

When I get the chance, I will also post a review for it on our website (at least) at www.gamesclubofmd.org.

I'll let you know when it's there...

Thanks for creating a great game!
J.P>